Fabrication of four stern end units for HMS Belfast, the Royal Navy’s third Type 26 frigate, has been completed by
A&P Tyne, part of the
APCL Group. Both A&P and
Cammell Laird were selected by
BAE Systems to construct units for the City Class programme, which comprises of eight ships that are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.
The four steel structures, weigh 220 tonnes in total and include welded hot work items, were fabricated over a 10-month period at the Hebburn facility in Tyne and Wear and are now at BAE Systems’ Govan facility for final assembly. A&P Tyne’s workforce comprises 70 tradesmen and supporting technical staff, and there was round-the-clock working throughout the programme; 10 apprentices also worked on the project.
Ian Douglas, A&P Tyne’s managing director, said: “A&P Tyne has completed block build units for some of the most significant shipbuilding projects in recent time, including the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and the RRS Sir David Attenborough. A&P Tyne is delighted to have delivered units for HMS Belfast and build on our collaboration with BAE Systems.”
David McGinley, APCL Group’s CEO, concluded: “We are extremely proud to be playing such a significant role in the production of vessels which will help form the backbone of our nation’s future defence. Our skilled workforce, along with our apprentices, have been working with their customary professionalism and dedication to ensure this work has been completed to the very highest standards.”