UK Ministry of Defence, The Defence Secretary Des Browne today visited Babcock Marine in Rosyth to witness the start of a £50 million investment project to the dockyard in preparation for the two Royal Navy super carriers.
Des Browne witnessed the signing of a £35m contract by Babcock Engineering Services with Glasgow-based subcontractors Edmund Nuttall Limited to modify the docks in anticipation of the future carrier work.
In addition to modifying the dock to accommodate the building of the carriers, key equipment will be purchased, such as the 'Goliath' crane, the largest in the UK. The total investment in Rosyth will amount to £50 million.
Defence Secretary, Des Browne said:
“This is a significant investment for shipbuilding in Rosyth and a symbol of our commitment to the two new aircraft carriers which will be the largest ships ever sailed by the Royal Navy.
“I am delighted to see this boost for the maritime industry in Scotland and jobs for Scottish workers.”
The CEO of Babcock International Group plc, Peter Rogers and the Babcock Marine CEO, Archie Bethel OBE were also on hand to witness the start of this important project.
Peter Rogers said:
“The award of this contract is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the Babcock Marine team and Edmund Nuttall Limited together with our colleagues in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance including the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the Rosyth site is ready to play its part in what is the most exciting and physically largest defence project for many years”.
Martin Rogers, Chief Executive of Edmund Nuttall Limited, said:
“We are understandably delighted to have secured this major package of work, extending a long standing and successful relationship between Nuttall Limited and Babcock at Rosyth. We are looking forward now to starting work on site.”
Background Information
1. MOD announced on 25 July 2007 the intention to proceed with manufacture of the two 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, and BAE Systems and VT Group's creation of a Joint Venture (JV) which will be a key part of the alliance of MOD and industry constructing the ships.
2. The aircraft carriers are planned to be constructed in sections in shipyards at Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness, Glasgow and Babcock's Rosyth in Scotland with final assembly at Rosyth.
3. A number of contracts have already been placed for design and engineering work and materials, such as diesel generators, in support of manufacture of the carriers.
4. The £35 million contract covers key modifications to the dock and the widening of the direct entrance. The rest of the £50 million will be spent on the 'Goliath' crane and hauling gear.
5. The majority of the work at Rosyth will be carried out by Edmund Nuttall Limited in Scotland and the rest by their own subcontractors. The company has a turn over of £600m in the UK, of which approximately 10% comes from their Scotland operation.
6. Babcock Marine is part of the Aircraft Carrier alliance and is a newly formed division of Babcock International Group, comprising Babcock Naval Services, in collaboration with Babcock Engineering Services, and the recently acquired Devonport Management Ltd (DML). This new division has been formed to integrate the engineering capabilities of the company at Rosyth, Clyde and Devonport.
7. Edmund Nuttall Limited is part of Royal BAM Group, the main Dutch civil engineering and construction company. The Group operates in a significant number of European countries, as well as the USA and parts of Asia and Africa.
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