The asset management company which owns the famous Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Northern Ireland has bought Devon’s Appledore Shipyard in a £7million deal – promising a huge economic boost for the region and 350 jobs.
InfraStrata Plc, an infrastructure projects and physical asset management business, said its acquisition of the former Babcock International Group Plc facility provides a lifeline for the skilled workforce after .
The deal follows 海角视频-based InfraStrata’s acquisition of the famous Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast in 2019 and reinforces the company as a major player in the 海角视频 maritime and offshore engineering industry.
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The Devon shipyard will be called Harland & Wolff (Appledore) under the new owner.
“We’re pleased to have been able to acquire this historic shipyard and its rich maritime heritage,” said InfraStrata’s chief executive John Wood.
“Harland and Wolff (Appledore) has a key role to play as part of an exciting new era for 海角视频 shipyards and shipbuilding; supporting 海角视频 industry and revitalising economic growth here in the South West.
“We are now ready to welcome clients back into the yard. There is a huge pipeline of potential opportunities and we look forward to finalising the details of our first contract so that we can get the shipyard fully operational.
“In the meantime, we will be carrying out routine maintenance on the dock gate and other critical assets between now and the end of 2020 increasing our investment in this strategic asset.
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“A skilled local workforce is crucial to our success and as part of the acquisition, we have put in place a new apprenticeship and training programme for young people that will ensure Appledore can be globally successful for decades to come.
“Over the coming weeks we will be welcoming some old faces back into the yard and introducing new employees, ensuring that we have a truly balanced, experienced and well-rounded workforce,” he added.
InfraStrata is a London Stock Exchange-listed firm focused on the development, commercialisation and operation of advanced high-value strategic infrastructure facilities and projects.
Jointly the InfraStrata group has the potential of employing 1,550 people - 800 at Harland and Wolff (Belfast), 350 at Harland and Wolff (Appledore), and 400 during the construction phase of the Islandmagee gas storage project, the first phase of which will provide a safe, secure and flexible supply of natural gas for mainland 海角视频 and the entire island of Ireland.
Opened in 1865, the Appledore shipyard has a rich history of shipbuilding. More than 300 vessels have been built there; including military craft, bulk carriers, LPG carriers, superyachts, ferries, and oil-industry support vessels.
The site features a 119m-long covered drydock as part of the main building yard as well as the adjacent repair, commissioning and outfitting quays. It closed in March 2019 and was acquired by InfraStrata in August 2020.
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Matt Roberts, GMB organiser for the South West, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the confirmation that the yard will reopen.
“We have always firmly believed that the yard can be viable and thrive in the right hands. Our members will be excited to be teaming up the iconic Harland & Wolff shipbuilding family and working closely with the famous Belfast yard. This is a huge boost for the whole community in North Devon."
Jake Mclean, an Appledore Shipbuilder, said: "We all welcome the news the iconic Harland and Wolfe yard has acquired our Appledore shipyard. This is great news after what has been a turbulent two years. Workers are looking forward to getting back building ships again in our famous yard.”
The re-opening of the shipyard has been welcomed by Torridge and West Devon Tory MP Geoffrey Cox, who said it will support significant regional economic growth, bring skilled jobs and new opportunities for the local workforce.
“I am absolutely delighted at the confirmation that after a lot of hard work by many people, InfraStrata has bought the Appledore Shipyard. This is good news for the communities of Torridge and a great example of industry building back better,” he said.
“Infrastrata’s track record and vision for the future of the yard is exciting and I look forward to offering the new owners my full support over the coming months and years - shipbuilding is back in Appledore.