Cammell Laird secures MoD contract

Cammell Laird shipyard in England has landed its largest contract since it was reborn seven years ago. The Birkenhead yard has won a £28m Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract to overhaul Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship ?Fort Rosalie?.

Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders, which will change its name back to Cammell Laird later this year, says the contract will protect up to 350 jobs. Managing director John Syvret said: “This is an enormous boost for the Merseyside marine engineering industry and the result of a huge amount of effort on behalf of our team. The deal confirms that the Mersey is now back where it belongs ? as a centre of excellence for ship repair conversion and military refit. It reflects our growing status with the MoD. Just before Christmas, we were awarded preferred contractor status on a cluster of maintenance contracts for the RFA worth £234m.

“These combined factors put us in a position of considerable strength as we prepare to rename Northwestern as Cammell Laird, a move we hope will catapult us forward in the worldwide market.” Syvret said: “This shipyard has a proud tradition of providing high quality skilled jobs to local people. We are passionate about continuing the legacy. This 10-month project will see up to 350 personnel working on the ship at the same time.”

The Rosalie, a veteran of the Falklands conflict, is 30 years old and needs a complete overhaul, including an upgrade of machinery, engines, operational and communications systems, weaponry and a complete accommodation refit. “It will be like a brand new ship when it?s finished, inside and out. It?s a tremendous contract to land.”

The RFA Fort Rosalie contract follows the £20m refurbishment of RFA Diligence last year. Northwestern has seen rapid growth with turnover rising from £9m in 2002 to £21m in 2005 to £41m in 2007. Projected turnover for 2008 is in excess of £50m.