Harland & Wolff announces that it has now formally signed the manufacturing subcontract with Navantia UK in relation to the £1.6 billion FSS warship program.
Under the terms of the Subcontract, Harland & Wolff will be responsible for delivering works worth around £700 million to £800 million through the life of the program.
The works will last seven years and will commence in 2023, bringing long term employment and opportunities until 2031. Harland & Wolff will be responsible for the fabrication of various blocks including some mega blocks (i.e., a block incorporating several standard sized blocks) as well as the procurement of a number of items of equipment to be installed on each vessel in Belfast.
Given Appledore’s experience in the fabrication of the bow sections for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers – HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, all three bow sections for this Program will be fabricated in Appledore prior to being transported to Belfast.
All three vessels will have all the blocks assembled, consolidated, fully integrated and commissioned before proceeding to sea trials from the Belfast facility, marking a return to shipbuilding in Belfast after over twenty years.
Full scale fabrication is due to commence in 2025 with the vessels due to be delivered to meet the Ministry Of Defense’s objective to bring three ships into service by 2032.
The Belfast and Appledore facilities will benefit from a £77 million capital investment program during the next 24 months. In Belfast, an extension to the fabrication halls will be undertaken to facilitate a highly dynamic material and sub-structure production flow along with a highly efficient manufacturing and production process. Investments will be made in technologically advanced robotic and autonomous equipment that includes material movement, marking, plate cutting, panel lines and robotic welding. In addition, new larger paint buildings will be constructed to facilitate larger and more efficient block painting. The investments in this site will ensure that the Belfast yard has one of the most technologically advanced marine fabrication facilities in the United Kingdom with the latest state-of-the-art machinery and production flows. Appledore will benefit from upgrades to the shipyard roof along with investments in additional automated machinery that includes the relocation of the existing micro panel line from Belfast.
This subcontract will be a significant and historic step change to Harland and Wolff’s capabilities and will make it an important participant in the international shipbuilding industry. Specifically, with modern shipyards and a proven track record post FSS. Harland & Wolff will be able to capitalize on further multi-billion-pound fabrication and heavy engineering opportunities within the defense, renewables and commercial maritime markets globally.
Following the planned investments and upgrades to its sites, Harland & Wolff will target a significant number of floating offshore wind projects for which fabrication is expected to commence between 2024 and 2030.
The partnership with Navantia will further lead to invaluable transfer of technology over the next seven years. Pre-planning applications have already been submitted and demolition works are expected to start shortly in Belfast, with the new facility coming to life over the next two years.
The UK government has implemented the National Shipbuilding Strategy to improve productivity rates in UK shipbuilding & fabrication, reduce waste and to drive the transition to Net Zero. In line with this strategy, Harland & Wolff has been working with numerous parties to maximize investments in the shipyard to achieve these goals alongside delivering projects on time and on budget. The company will be receiving a significant proportion of the investment required for the recapitalization plan from the project directly. It will also look to capitalize on production savings with new plant and equipment. It is envisaged that £32m will be financed through additional long term leasehold improvements, medium term asset finance and the Harland & Wolff’s proposed new enlarged debt facility with Astra, which is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2023.
Further, there may be opportunities to access other external funding such as new technology grants and carbon reduction grants that the Company will be working through over the next twelve months in order to maximize funding and optimize the Group’s capital stack.
In collaboration with its partners in Team Resolute, Navantia and BMT, Harland & Wolff will continue to engage as a team in future phases of this program as well as on other opportunities in the UK and globally. Further announcements will be made in due course should any of these opportunities materialize.
Harland & Wolff will be measured on its social value contribution through the life of the program. This will include, deepening and strengthening of the UK supply chain, taking on graduates and apprentices as the next generation of shipbuilders and crucial technology transfer from Navantia to Harland & Wolff.
At the peak of the program, Harland & Wolff will be providing employment to over 1,200 personnel (900 in Belfast and 300 in Appledore) and over 100 graduates and apprentices in Belfast and Appledore generating substantial social value across the UK. This program not only provides the company with significant revenue for the next seven years, but also enables the company to leave a positive and lasting legacy in communities across the UK.