Shipbuilder Cammell Laird has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement made last weekend that the construction of the new National Flagship will commence in 12 months, with the ship entering service by 2025 (reported on the Machinery Market website here).

It was accompanied by a visual of the new ship, which will be the first of its kind to be built and commissioned by the UK and will showcase innovative British design, engineering and ‘green’ technology.

CEO David McGinley said that Cammell Laird is ready to deliver the new national Flagship, which will be used promote British interests around the world.

He added: “From HMS Ark Royal to the RRS Sir David Attenborough, Cammell Laird knows what it takes to deliver vessels of vital national importance. We have completed some of the most ambitious ship building projects in modern times, through the recent construction of the RSS Sir David Attenborough, the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, and delivering critical units of the next-generation nuclear submarines, Astute and Dreadnought on behalf of BAE Systems.

“It is this experience that makes Cammell Laird the only UK shipyard which can partner with the Government to deliver this vessel, a partnership that will significantly de-risk the project, enable it to be delivered at speed and maximise value for money.”

In addition to the RRS Sir David Attenborough, Cammell Laird has built a range of specialised vessels including RoRo and RoPax ferries for Red Funnel, Western Ferries and Strangford Ferries.

Mr McGinley said he welcomed the Government’s decision to place this contract with a UK shipyard and that the construction of the National Flagship would unlock a huge amount of social value in the North West of England.

He continued: “The construction of the new vessel will unlock the full social benefits of the contract for the people of Wirral/Merseyside and the wider maritime supply chain, as well as supporting the Government’s levelling up agenda by delivering a significant national infrastructure programme in the North West of England.

“We will continue to develop our successful apprenticeship and training programme that has already recruited over 300 apprentices, including 46 in the past year alone.

“Furthermore, the contract would enable us to accelerate one of our strategic objectives to create a ‘Shipbuilding Centre of Excellence’ on the banks of the River Mersey at Cammell Laird, which will incentivise innovation and create the skilled workforce the UK will need to compete in the global marketplace.”