The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a £476m contract to º£½ÇÊÓƵ-based Foreland Shipping, a firm specialising in sealift operations.
The seven-year agreement aims to enhance the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's ability to transport crucial military equipment, such as armoured vehicles and emergency medical supplies, via sea, as reported by .
The MoD stated that the contract would safeguard around 150 º£½ÇÊÓƵ jobs and contribute to the "strengthening of national security."
Four roll-on roll-off shipping vessels will be used for transportation. Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, commented: "By ensuring the efficient movement of equipment and supplies, strategic sealift is pivotal to our ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats, project global reach, and sustain critical operations. " She added, "The long-term nature of this contract guarantees stable employment for workers across the nation. This investment reflects the government’s commitment to supporting jobs, driving economic growth, and safeguarding the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s national security."
This follows Defence Secretary John Healey's pledge to prioritise º£½ÇÊÓƵ-based defence firms as part of the new defence industrial strategy.
Foreland Shipping, based in London, employs approximately 150 personnel nationally, 97 per cent of whom are army reservists.
Foreland Shipping Limited, a company based in South Wales, has carried out over 30 voyages to Ukraine from Newport, delivering significant ammunition supplies since the onset of Putin's invasion. The Chairman of Foreland Shipping Limited, retired Major General Ian Copeland CB, stated: "FSL has, over the last 23 years, taken great pride in providing the Strategic Sealift Capability for the Ministry of Defence."
He added: "It has been a highly successful project for all concerned and we are therefore delighted that we will now continue to provide this vital capability for the next contract period. " He concluded by saying: "We look forward, with the assistance of our dedicated crew members, to extending our close relationship with DSCOM and fulfilling tasks around the globe."
