UK Docks Marine Services has signed a major contract with the Bangladesh Navy to help restore and regenerate the Asian country’s newest purchase, the former HMS Enterprise.
The former HMS Enterprise - from her days on active service for the Royal Navy
The first-of-its-kind contract for the company will expand UK Dock's’ international footprint and global reach and see the decommissioned vessel, currently in Portsmouth, towed to Teesside later this month.
Once in dry dock in the North East, it will be brought back to operational readiness over the course of 2026.
UK Docks managing director Jonathan Wilson, said: “This is the first time we’ve worked on a vessel for a navy beyond the UK.
“It’s a completely new development for UK Docks and one we’re looking forward to delivering on.
“It opens up a lot of possibilities for the company.”
UK Docks’ senior management team flew to Bangladesh to sign the former HMS Enterprise Regeneration Contract in Dhaka, alongside the two most senior and high-profile officers in the Bangladesh Navy.
Bangladesh Rear Admiral Md. Safiquer Rahman, assistant chief of Naval Staff (Logistics) signs the landmark agreement with UK Docks MD, Jonathan Wilson.
The multi-million-pound agreement will see initial work on the former HMS Enterprise taking place at a UK Docks’ Teesside facility, which has recently expanded from two to four dry docks.
Jonathan said: “The fact that this is a capital project for the newly-formed Bangladesh Government and that it was signed by the equivalent of the first and second Sea Lords of the British Admiralty, shows its importance to Bangladesh and significance to us.
“Without doubt, it’s one of the biggest moments in UK Docks’ history, stretching back over 30 years of increasing growth.”
Bangladesh Rear Admiral Md. Safiquer Rahman, assistant chief of Naval Staff (Logistics) signs off the landmark agreement with UK Docks MD, Jonathan Wilson.
The contract will see the vessel towed from Portsmouth to Teesside, so work can begin on bringing her back into service. UK Docks’ task will be aided by the fact that the company has previously serviced and maintained HMS Enterprise and her sister ship, HMS Echo, whilst they were in service with the Royal Navy.
UK Docks plans to employ three permanent staff dedicated to programme oversight, working with three major original equipment manufacturers in Norway.
In addition, there will be 20 new, fixed-term contracts for specialists drawn from across the ship repair and maritime engineering sectors. This combined approach will ensure both capability and capacity to deliver the regeneration programme to the highest operational and strategic standards.
Jonathan reflected: “We were among a number of contractors tendering for the work, and I think the fact that we had worked on the vessel over many years and had an excellent track record on it certainly went in our favour.
“There were a lot of discussions over quite a few months but it was clear that the Bangladesh Navy was really keen for us to take on the work, and that helped us reach an agreement pretty quickly in the end.”
Bangladesh's Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, assistant chief of naval staff, UK Royal Navy defence attache, Commander Lee Norton, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, chief of naval staff, meet UK Docks' directors.
The work on the former HMS Enterprise represents a comprehensive modernisation effort by the new owners.
The programme will be fully managed and delivered from Teesside - reinforcing the port’s position as a world‑class centre for maritime engineering and ship repair.
The upgrades include, but are not limited to:
Retrofitting advanced propulsion systems from Brunvoll AS, delivering enhanced manoeuvrability, improved efficiency, and operational reliability.
Integration of cutting‑edge hydrographic and maritime technologies from Kongsberg Maritime, strengthening the vessel’s world‑class survey and data‑gathering capability.
Extensive auxiliary and ancillary maintenance across essential onboard systems to ensure long‑term resilience, safety, and mission readiness.
Once work is complete, the 90.5m long, 3,740-tonne vessel will significantly enhance the Bangladesh Navy’s operational capabilities, supporting hydrographic operations, maritime security, and broader sovereign objectives.
For UK Docks, this will continue the relationship with the vessel that began in 2018, when a £150m contract to service and maintain HMS Enterprise, HMS Echo, and HMS Protector was signed.
Launched in 2002 and commissioned by the Royal Navy in 2003, HMS Enterprise was known for its distinguished service in survey operations, humanitarian support, and disaster‑response missions worldwide.
Decommissioned by the Royal Navy in March 2023, the former HMS Enterprise was officially sold to the Bangladesh Navy last month, a move that will boost Bangladesh’s maritime security and regional stability efforts.