Navantia UK moves forward with major modernisation of Harland & Wolff

Navantia UK has launched a comprehensive modernisation programme at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. (Navantia)

Navantia UK has launched a major modernisation effort aimed at transforming Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast into one of the UK's most advanced shipbuilding facilities.

In a statement issued on 23 April, Navantia UK, which completed its acquisition of Harland & Wolff in January, said the modernisation programme will significantly enhance the Belfast facility's capacity to build the UK Royal Navy's Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships as well as support future naval shipbuilding programmes. It is centred around three main principles: maximising productivity, creating skilled jobs, and implementing sustainable manufacturing.

“The FSS programme marks the beginning of Navantia UK's investment to revitalise Belfast's naval shipbuilding tradition with world-class technology,” Navantia said. “This revival will be achieved through technical knowledge transfer from Navantia's Spanish operations, combined with the group's proven shipbuilding expertise.”

Navantia UK, leading the Team Resolute industry consortium also comprising BMT and Harland & Wolff, was awarded a GBP1.6 billion (USD2.1 billion) prime contract in January 2023 to deliver the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary's (RFA's) three-ship FSS programme.

However, when Harland & Wolff collapsed into administration in September 2024, Navantia stepped in to buy the UK shipbuilding group to ensure the continuation of the FSS programme. The acquisition included all four Harland & Wolff shipyards across the United Kingdom, which are based in Belfast (Northern Ireland), Appledore (southwest England), and Methil and Arnish (Scotland).