Fleet Support Limited News

The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) Defense Equipment and Services has commissioned Gifford, BMT Marine Projects Ltd, and Fleet Support Limited to produce a new Dry Dock Code of Practice. Clearly focused on the goal of safe dry-docking, the Code is aimed at the MoD, shipyards and other military and civil organizations involved in the dry docking of mono-hulled surface ships of over 500 tons. The Code provides a comprehensive and methodical framework for ship and dock owners and operators to review, and if appropriate further develop, the procedures and measures required for a safe dry docking. Although not prescriptive or intended for direct application, the Code provides a valuable framework for the development of safe in-house procedures. The ship is suitable to be dry-docked.

Naval support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL) celebrates its tenth anniversary at the end of February with the satisfaction of having played a key role in the renaissance of Portsmouth Naval Base. The Joint Venture between BAE Systems and VT Group was established originally to manage the former Fleet Maintenance and Repair Organization (FMRO). Some 1,000 employees, primarily involved in ship repair, transferred to the new company as the private sector became tasked with improving efficiency and reducing costs in the Base.

Portsmouth-based Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has taken in hand the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS York ready for a $34 million refit lasting more than a year. The ship was last dry docked at Portsmouth some four years ago but the project, possibly her final refit before she is decommissioned, will this time include major equipment upgrades, maintenance programmes and improvements to her accommodation. She will dock down in March shortly after one of the major engineering tasks of the refit starts with the removal of the ship’s Sea Dart missile launcher. This will promptly be replaced with a newly refurbished launcher and FSL technicians will then spend several months re-connecting the supporting infrastructure…

Naval support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has completed the first fit of an upgraded Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) filter system to the Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke during a maintenance period in Portsmouth. Using the NATO Radial filter, the new system takes into account the latest developments in CBRN equipment and technology, enabling reduced through-life cost of ownership by requiring less frequent filter changes. The new fit is set to be the forerunner for similar units to be installed in all ships in the Type 23 Class and underlines FSL’s growing technical capability in CBRN systems and collective protection.

VT Group plc announced that it has entered into a Framework Agreement with BAE Systems plc to establish a joint venture intended to create a provider of naval ships and associated through-life support. It is intended that the joint venture will comprise the following businesses on completion of the JV transaction: VT’s surface warship building and through-life support operations; each of VT’s and BAE Systems’ 50 per cent. shareholdings in their existing surface warship through-life support joint venture, Fleet Support Limited (FSL); and BAE Systems’ Surface Fleet Solutions operations, which includes surface warship building and surface warship through-life support. VT will also acquire BAE Systems’ 50 percent.

In a statement provided with the company's Preliminary Results , VT Group's chairman Michael Jeffries gave an indication of how the new shipbuilding venture between his company and BAE Systems would be structured. He said "We announced in December 2006 that we had entered into discussions with BAE Systems to combine our respective surface shipbuilding and naval support businesses, including Fleet Support Limited (FSL). The proposed consolidation is in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy and would create a world-class provider and strategic partner for the UK Government. He also confirmed VT Group's withdrawal from small commercial boatbuilding activities. Earlier the group announced that VT Halmatic would be restructured and would concentrate on the build of small military vessels.

Type 23 frigate HMS Portland has been handed back to the Fleet following a nine-month upkeep period completed by Fleet Support Limited (FSL) in Portsmouth. The Devonport-based ship then sailed from Portsmouth on the same day to start a programme of crew training in the South West in preparation for deployment in early summer. FSL has carried out an extensive enhancement and maintenance package on the 1999-built ship that has kept some 150 personnel busy. The work has included a complete upgrade of the ship’s aviation facilities that enable her to operate the Merlin helicopter, and the fitting of the Surface Ship Torpedo Defence suite, improving her employability around the world.

Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has started work on the latest Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to enter its facilities for maintenance. The docking of the Plymouth-based HMS Portland heralds a five-month program to upgrade the 1999-built ship that will keep some 150 FSL personnel busy throughout the summer. The enhancement package includes a complete upgrade of the ship’s aviation facilities, and the fitting of the Surface Ship Torpedo Defense suite. The ship will also get refurbishment work to both its hull and living accommodation. Source: FSL

VT Group announced the appointment of Peter McIntosh, managing director of VT Shipbuilding to the position of chief executive of the Alliance Management Team (AMT) for the Ministry of Defense Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) project. McIntosh’s background includes a 30-year career spent with Cammell Laird, as managing director of Fleet Support Limited (FSL) – a joint venture between BAE Systems and VT – and over the past three years as managing director of VT Shipbuilding. He will lead the team that has been charged with delivering the design, detailed costings and contractual framework that will allow the project to commit to manufacture. During this time, Peter will relinquish his position on the board of VT Group plc.

Vosper Thornycroft (VT) will progress plans for the construction of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyer following the signing later today of a legally binding agreement with the Prime Contractor BAE Systems. The initial contract for work on the first six platforms will be worth in excess of $285 million to VT with involvement in the design, production and support stages of the project. VT will build blocks for each of the six comprising the bow section, funnel and masts. These blocks, which will weigh about 700 tonnes, will be fully outfitted before leaving the Portsmouth facilities. Production of the first modules on the first-of-class Type 45, HMS Daring, is due to start in mid-2003 and production will continue until at least 2008.