VT Shipbuilding, Merwede Sign MOU

The UK’s VT Shipbuilding and the Netherland’s Merwede Shipyard signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on naval warship procurement programs outside the UK. The agreement will see the pair combine their expertise in design and manufacturing to address programs around the world.

VT Shipbuilding, part of the support services and shipbuilding company VT Group, is one of the world’s premier builders of naval vessels. The Group’s advanced facilities at Portsmouth Naval Base are currently constructing sections of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer and an Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter), also for the RN.

VT Shipbuilding Managing Director Peter McIntosh, commented: “VT’s experience in the design and build of commercial Offshore Patrol Vessels will compliment Merwede in the pursuit of the forthcoming OPV contract from the Dutch Ministry of Defence.“

Merwede, an experienced builder of complex commercial vessels and fleet auxiliaries, is keen to build on its association with the Dutch MoD and to maintain naval shipbuilding in the Netherlands. Ton Rietdijk, Managing Director of Merwede, sees this as a positive step forward for Dutch shipbuilding. He added: “Merwede can build these vessels in Holland cost effectively. We will use the extensive design, build and operational experience VT has gained on building several OPVs to reduce the operational risk to the end user.”