New Dog Kennels for Stena Line Ferries

Merseyside engineering firm IPS Marine Fabrications is helping ferry operator Stena Line expand its accommodation for man’s best friend after securing a deal to build a series of bespoke dog kennels.

The operator Stena Line aims to improve pet facilities with bespoke kennels on board the Stena Superfast X, Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey.

IPS Marine Fabrications director Paul Smith said the Birkenhead firm has built a long-standing relationship with Stena Line and the latest project follows a series of deals delivering metal fabrication and insulation services across many vessels in the ferry fleet.

“We have manufactured and installed a total of 14 dog kennels for three Stena Line ferries, installed them in locations including Holyhead and have another two ready to export,” Smith said.

“They were all specially made at our Birkenhead manufacturing hall which contains cutting edge metal forming equipment including a four-meter 190-ton break press, MIG, TIG and arc welding machines, as well as stud arc, CD and drawn arc welding facilities.

IPS was formed in 2001 by former Cammell Laird shipyard managers Paul Smith and Peter Hillan, who have combined industry experience of more than 50 years. The £2 million turnover firm, employing 30 staff, offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ for marine insulation and metal fabrication including survey, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance services.

Smith said the firm relocated to its current premises near the River Mersey in Marcus Street, Birkenhead, to boost capacity to support Cammell Laird on its multi-million HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier contract with the Royal Navy. It has further supported the shipyard on its 25 year “through-life support” contracts to maintain nine of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.