Navantia’s UK division has committed to an investment plan for the Harland & Wolff and its four sites.
Senior leadership from Navantia and its UK subsidiary toured the Belfast shipyard today, and will tour Harland & Wolff’s other sites at Appledore, Methil and Arnish over the coming days.
Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez told workers that the Spanish giant will resume and expand the investment and recapitalisation plan for Harland & Wolff, allowing the shipyard to continue its work on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.
The programme had been paused in recent months.
Domínguez said: “Today marks the beginning of our shared journey. We are not just combining two companies; we are building a formidable team.”
Navantia UK will build three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxilliary under the FSS programme, with integration and delivery taking place at the Belfast shipyard.
Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Royal Navy Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “The patience of so many during this process has been rewarded with a firm vote of confidence by the British Government in both the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s order pipeline and the Belfast workforce.
“The Royal Navy is delighted that Navantia UK has entered the UK shipbuilding market with its acquisition of this iconic facility, which has built so many fine ships for the Royal Navy throughout its history.”
The company added that the acquisition of Harland & Wolff creates a platform for the delivering capabilities in both sovereign defence and clean energy.