Shipbuilding thriving in 21st century on the River Clyde

The BAE Systems yards at Govan and Scotstoun are a hive of design, manufacturing and construction activity with thousands of staff busy producing the next generation of Royal Navy warships.

The Type 26 frigate production is moving at pace in the Govan shipyard.

BAE Systems Naval Ships has three in production at the yard and one at Scotstoun being prepared to go out on sea trials.

The first of the ships, HMS Glasgow, is furthest down the line. It moved to Scotstoun early in 2023 where it is currently being fitted out.

Work on HMS Cardiff is progressing on the hardstand at Govan, and is visible from across the river, after the two huge blocks were put together having been built in the ship block and outfitting hall.

HMS Belfast is in the early stages of construction at Govan and the steel-cutting ceremony for HMS Birmingham, the fourth of the frigates, took place in April.

Alongside the shipbuilding, over the last year, the historic yard has been undergoing a transformation with a new ship hall being constructed that will tower above the current hall.

It will allow two ships to be built indoors side by side.

The new facility, being built on the in-filled wet basin at the yard, will house two 100-tonne cranes, another two 20-tonne cranes, and will allow 500 workers per shift to work on the ships in indoor conditions.

The frigates, eight in total, in a £4.2bn deal with the Ministry of Defence, mean shipbuilding is secured in the city into the 2030s.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems chief executive, said: “This contract secures a critical UK industry and allows us to build on our own long history of shipbuilding on the Clyde as we continue to deliver cutting-edge equipment to the Royal Navy into the next decade.”

The investment into the new indoor facility at Govan is a statement that BAE intends to continue beyond the current order book.

Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems naval ships, said: “This new hall will give us some of the best facilities in the world and completely modernise our approach to shipbuilding.

“It, alongside the investments already underway to digitise our process, will ensure Govan continues to be something the city of Glasgow can be proud of.”

CASE STUDY

The yards and the employment and career opportunities they present are attracting young people into shipbuilding with the BAE apprenticeship scheme much sought after.

Another 300 apprentices are due to be taken on at sites in Scotland in 2024, including Govan and Scotstoun across a range of trades.

Billie Waugh is a 2nd Year Trials and Commissioning Apprentice at BAE Systems Naval Ships.

She said: “I started my apprenticeship last year when I was 27 years old, and at that time I was the oldest Commissioning Apprentice.

“I see this as an advantage as I’m able to truly appreciate and make the best of the opportunities I have been given.

“Previously, I worked in the security industry before making the move to BAE Systems because I felt it would provide a more rewarding career and help me realise my full potential.

“Since joining, I have enjoyed many successes, including receiving a Special Recognition award after my first year, and participating in the Reverse Mentoring scheme which has given me a better understanding of other areas of the business.

“I’m now in my second year of my apprenticeship, and I feel great satisfaction seeing the ships being built.

“I’m particularly looking forward to taking the ships to sea trials, as not only will it be my first time on a sea trial – but also the first time a Type 26 has been taken to sea.

“I have been welcomed and supported by BAE Systems, who consistently show their appreciation for the work I put in. I feel really privileged to have an apprenticeship that has given me opportunities I would never otherwise have, working on a project which helps to defend our nation.”