Anglo-Italian alliance formed for RFA contract

At the opening day of the Euronaval Exhibition in Paris a major Alliance was announced between Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and UK shiprepair, conversion and military support specialist NSL.

Fincantieri is forming a major European Alliance with the British shipyard, Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd (NSL) which is based in the famous Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead UK. NSL is currently a prime contractor to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Service. This alliance will enhance support to Fincantieri in pursuit of the tender to build six fleet replenishment tankers for UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) programme known as the MARS project. When built these vessels will join the existing RFA fleet.

The MARS project is an International competition being managed under European Union guidelines and Fincantieri was recently short-listed along with 3 other prominent international shipbuilders. If successful in winning the MARS contract this will maintain substantial employment in Italy and the UK.

Alberto Maestrini Executive Senior Vice President of Fincantieri Naval vessel business unit commenting on the alliance said “this is part of a larger strategy of collaboration with NSL and if successful with the MARS tender, the companies will pursue other business opportunities in the naval auxiliary, naval export and offshore markets. The alliance provides Fincantieri with a strong professional ally strategically based in the UK”.

Maestrini concluded, “this is a case of combining the talents of Europe?s largest shipbuilder with NSL who has an enviable track record of serving UK MOD in the support of the RFA fleet.” NSL Managing Director John Syvret said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to reinforce Fincantieri?s MARS bid with expertise from a British Shipyard that has a proud history of delivering some of the Royal Navy?s finest vessels. I genuinely believe the alliance can provide an innovative European solution for MOD and ensure a significant amount of work would be undertaken in the UK, important in a time of economic downturn.”

Mr Syvret concluded “the alliance will massively strengthen NSL?s business, expanding its services to both the public and private sectors”.