SMALL SHIPYARD PLANNED FOR LONDON

Although modest in scale, the envisaged facility in the Royal Docks area would provide capacity for repair and maintenance of the growing local traffic on the River Thames plus scope for craft construction.

The 3.3-acre site at Albert Island has outline planning permission and would provide an industrial dimension to the regeneration of the easternmost end of the former commercial dock complex, just to the east of what is now London’s City Airport.

The site will be prepared and infrastructure put in place by developer London & Regional Properties, for completion by June 2023. The yard is foreseen with some 85,000ft² of sheds (to be constructed by the occupier) and minimum 75,000ft² open storage, and vessel or newbuild transfer arrangements would be based on either a synchrolift-type mechanism, travel hoist or slipway.

Port of London Authority (PLA) chief executive Robin Mortimer said “The Thames has been the centre of a river renaissance over the last decade, with continuing investment in new vessels and services of all kinds. This shipyard opportunity has major significance, as it will put the essential repair and maintenance facilities at the heart of the busy river. Once developed, it will mean services can be provided swiftly, saving operators time taking vessels to yards off the river and minimising downtime.”

Interest in running the envisaged yard has to be registered with the PLA by 16 July, and leasehold terms will be a matter for discussion.

Prospective operators will need to demonstrate experience in the field, including the ability to address the increasing demands for ‘green’ vessels, and must supply an outline five-year business plan for the yard, identifying potential revenue streams. The selected operator will be expected to obtain all relevant consents from the various local government, port, marine management and environmental authorities and agencies.

The creation of a London shipyard is in line with wider government moves to reinvigorate shipbuilding in the UK, as mooted under an updated National Shipbuilding Strategy.

London & Regional Properties was appointed in 2018 as the development partner by the Greater London Authority to deliver the regeneration of Albert Island, which lies between the lock entrances from the river to the former King George V and Royal Albert docks. The area forms part of the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, where business rates are reinvested.

The site is just to the north of the location of the former North Woolwich yard of Harland & Wolff, closed in 1972, which had a reputation for precision, large-scale engineering and shiprepair work as well as producing numerous craft and river vessels.