Shipyard
Harland & Wolff Belfast has welcomed 66 new apprentices as Navantia UK steps up investment at the yard. The recruits will train across shipbuilding and support roles while Belfast prepares to assemble, commission and deliver all three Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fleet Solid Support ships.
Navantia UK said a temporary cover developed with production teams in Belfast has cut welding time on sections with drainage openings by more than half. The yard said the fix lets robots weld straight across the openings without stopping and reduces manual finishing work.
Navantia UK has taken on 21 new apprentices at its Methil yard, lifting the site total to 75. The intake forms part of 121 apprentices hired across the company this year, as Methil also works on the Navantia UK Seahorse and a new export vessel contract.
Chris McDonald MP visited Harland & Wolff in Belfast after the Government published its Defence Investment Plan and confirmed key naval programmes. Navantia UK said the Fleet Solid Support programme at the yard is on time and on budget, with three 39,000-tonne supply ships under construction for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary under the £1.6 billion contract.