First RFA Tanker Arrives at Cammell Laird
British shipbuilding company Cammell Laird has welcomed the first Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel, RFA Tidespring, to its Birkenhead shipyard as part its GBP619mln deal to maintain nine vessels over the next 10 years.The 39,000 tonne Tide-class tanker RFA Tidespring is now moored for its inaugural docking period.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced in October 2018 that Cammell Laird had been chosen to provide support to all four Tide class tankers – RFA Tidespring, RFA Tiderace, RFA Tidesurge and RFA Tideforce – following a competitive two-year tender process.At the same time the company was awarded a second 10-year contract that will see it continue to provide support for the vessels RFA Fort Victoria…
UK to Sell HMS Ocean to Brazil
The MOD has agreed to sell HMS Ocean to the Government of Brazil after 20 years of service. Sold to the Brazilian Navy for around £84M ($117m), the profit generated from the sale will be reinvested in defence at a time when the Royal Navy is being strengthened with two types of brand new frigates and two huge aircraft carriers. HMS Queen Elizabeth, which will eventually take on the role as the nation’s new flagship, recently set sail from the port of Gibraltar carrying two Chinooks and four Merlin helicopters as she readies for helicopter trials at sea.
Wendy Barnes Joins BMT Group Board
BMT Group Ltd, a leading international design, engineering and risk management consultancy, is pleased to announce that Wendy Barnes has joined the Board of Directors as a Non-executive Director. Wendy is presently a Non-executive Member of the main Board of OFWAT, the economic regulator of the water industry in England and Wales, a Non-executive Director of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Services and a Non-executive Director at the Met Office. She was Interim Chief Operating…
Seawork Expands for 2013 Event
Seawork, the commercial marine industry exhibition and conference (ABP Port of Southampton UK, 25-27 June 2013; www.seawork.com), has expanded into a third hall, due to increased demand for stands from exhibitors. At the close of 2012, Hall A was completely sold out, with Hall B set to follow close on its heels. The unique combination of exhibition stands, quayside and pontoons for vessels consistently attracts over 6,500 thousand marine professionals from around the world and is set to achieve further growth in its 16th year. Managing Director of organisers Mercator Media, Andrew Webster, says: “Despite austerity measures across the world, the commercial marine industry, through necessity, continues to go about its business.
British Nuclear Submarine Sets Sail after Fuel Replacement, Upgrading
HMS Vigilant was taken in hand by Babcock in 2008 and is the third Vanguard Class submarine to undergo a long overhaul period and refuel at Devonport. Additionally, around 80 major design improvements have been incorporated, including significant enhancements to strategic and combat weapon systems and sensors that will ensure the submarine remains highly capable to meet the exacting demands that will be placed on her during her next commission and fulfil her vital role in national defence.
Daring Handed to Royal Navy
The 7,381.5 ton Daring has now completed a range of stringent trials and tests and is due to sail to her home port of Portsmouth in the UK in January 2009 to undertake several months more of trials and training before she is declared ready for operational service. The construction of Daring has involved thousands of people at shipyards on the Clyde in Scotland and at Portsmouth, using factories and businesses across the UK. "The Acceptance-off-Contract today of HMS Daring is by far the most exciting and formative milestone of the year.
UK’s Royal Navy Launches HMS Dragon
The Royal Navy’s latest addition to the Type 45 destroyer fleet, to be called HMS Dragon, pulled into the Clyde from BVT’s shipyard at Govan on Nov. 17, 2008. As well as providing air defense over a wide area, including for the future aircraft carriers, the Type 45s will be able to conduct a variety of operations. They will be able to carry up to sixty Royal Marines Commandos and their equipment and operate a Chinook sized helicopter from the flight deck. “I am delighted to be here today to witness the launch of our latest destroyer Dragon.
Rolls-Royce Signs $2B, 10-Year Sub Agreement
Pictured is the HMS Vanguard nuclear submarine. Rolls-Royce signed a 10-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence worth $2 billion to help keep Royal Navy submarines at sea. The contract covers support of nuclear powerplant systems on board the current fleet of 13 Swiftsure, Trafalgar and Vanguard class submarines and the new Astute class submarines when they enter service. The contract breaks new ground – Rolls-Royce and MoD will form a joint team to set agreed service levels, and the company will be paid for meeting those targets rather than through individual contracts. Rolls-Royce will also receive additional incentive payments for improvements which create savings for the Ministry when the submarines are in service.
