UK Docks Teesside yard enjoys record-breaking year of service and repair

STAFF and management at UK Docks’ Teesside facility are celebrating a record-breaking year for the number of ships serviced and repaired.

More than 30 vessels have been successfully worked on in the shipyard’s two dry docks and heavy lift repair quay throughout 2023

Among them were the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, HMS Protector, former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tristram, (now a training vessel), as well as Transport For London’s Dame Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott, the Trinity House Patricia, the UKD Marlin, various North Star and Putford vessels and several Svitzer Tugs.

Jonathan Wilson, MD of UK Docks, said: “We’re delighted to have had such a productive year. 

“This is exactly what we hoped for when we first re-opened the docks in 2014 after they’d been derelict for more than two decades.

“What’s pleasing is the variety of vessels we worked on over the last 12 months, as well as the number of them, and that’s testimony to the skills and versatility of the team.”

HMS Protector, an essential part of the Royal Navy’s global reach, visited Teesside twice over the course of the year - once for a comprehensive drydock package, and then again later in the year to carry out essential repairs to its main engine and drivetrain, with more than 300 individual work packages being completed on time and on budget.

Commercial ship repair was equally busy with several Teesside and London-based Svitzer tugs, Trinity House vessel Patricia and Transport for London ferries Dave Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott, which operate on the River Thames at Woolwich, coming in for their first five-year service and docking.

The year has been completed with extensive work on UKD Marlin, Putford Phoenix and an unplanned docking of PD Ports’ Heortnesse.

Those works marked a record-breaking number of vessels handled by the busy yard in a single year.

The Tees shipyard director Stuart Syvret said:: “Our growth in 2023 underpins the commitment and ongoing investment to improve the Teesside facility.

“We have two operational drydocks supported by a heavy lift afloat repair berth, fully equipped steel and engineering workshops and two modern 30-tonne Shoreside cranes.

“We also have a highly-skilled project management team, workforce and trusted subcontract supply chain ensuring, whether works are scheduled or unscheduled, we can react and deliver complex engineering activities in both commercial and Ministry of Defence sectors.”

The yards, on Dockside Road, in Teesport Commerce Park, now perform a significant role in the Tees Valley supply chain and local economy.

• UK Docks would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers in 2023 for the work supplied to our teams. We wish them all a happy, safe and prosperous 2024.

Veterans In Crisis supported by UK Docks' Christmas food drop

CHRISTMAS is a time for giving and UK Docks staff made a special delivery just before the big day of foodstuffs and essentials to the offices of Sunderland-based charity Veterans In Crisis.

The donations included food, toiletries and Christmas treats and were a recognition of the outstanding work Veterans In Crisis does for those who have served and are struggling to adjust.

As a defence contractor employing many ex-service personnel, UK Docks recognises the great contribution our service men and women provide to the country and to their communities.

The company also appreciates the Herculean efforts of charities like Veterans In Crisis and the difference their teams make, delivering every day, to improve veterans’ lives when they are trying to get back on their feet.

Stephen Lee, UK Docks’ operations director, said: “We sincerely hope this gesture has a positive impact on our veterans and their families during the festive period.

“The efforts of Ger Fowler and his team at Veterans In Crisis is inspirational and we at UK Docks are proud to be able to support them.

“UK Docks this year has recognised the efforts of people within our local community who have themselves made personal and financial sacrifices, to support and enable Armed Forces Veterans and their families gain access to necessary support and services, when they themselves are in a time of need.”

The van full of donations was delivered by Stephen Stuart McLean, general manager of UK Docks Teesside, and John Lally, UK Docks North, technical manager.

For more information on Veterans In Crisis (VICS), go to https://www.veteransincrisis.co.uk/

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UK Docks to breathe new life into historic Rum Store thanks to Government Levelling Up Funding

A Government grant of more than £11m has been awarded to UK Docks for the renovation of the historic Rum Store building at Victoria Quay in Gosport.

The money will help bring back to life and use an iconic building which was at the heart of the Royal Navy supply chain during Victorian times when sailors were given ‘rum rations’ during their service in what was the biggest fleet in the world.

The money from the Levelling Up Fund - £11,156,400 exactly - will be used by UK Docks to breathe new life into one of the most deprived constituencies in the country.

The Fund has given just over 18m in all to Gosport Borough Council to invest in works on Gosport’s historic waterfront.

The centrepiece will be the £11m investment in the Rum Store but the remainder will be spent on creating space for skilled marine employment and reconnecting the town centre to the waterfront.

The derelict Grade II listed building will eventually deliver mixed-use space while public realm enhancements to the route between the waterfront and town centre will increase footfall between the areas and provide a new route connecting Gosport’s historic fortifications.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “This is great news for Victoria Quay and for the people of Gosport.

“For us, it's a fantastic opportunity to work with Gosport Borough Council on the project Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront.

“The Rum Store is a wonderful ex-Ministry of Defence Grade II Listed Building in Royal Clarence Yard that is steeped in history and which now has the chance to be repaired and regenerated to boost economic development in the area.

“This news has come at a critical point for the Rum Store building which couldn’t have been better timed as it will now unlock the full potential of Victoria Quay as a focal point for marine services and business.

“It will also enhance the quality of life for those living in Gosport and its surrounding areas and we can’t wait to get started.”

UK Docks has invested heavily in the deep water berthing facility since acquiring it and improvements have included a 75T amphibious boat hoist, a 50T boat transporter and a  55T mobile crane.

The 5.7-acre site, which offers marine servicing and specialist facilities also has a new, smooth transportation road surface and a refreshment shop run by T by the Sea, that offers high-quality freshly cooked food and beverages.

Jonathan said: “We’re very proud at UK Docks in terms of what we have achieved at Victoria Quay over the last few years but the Levelling Up Fund investment will be a real game changer for the area and we’re determined to play our part in creating something the whole community can be proud of.”

The news was welcomed by Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, who has been lobbying hard for investment and had pointed out to new Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young MP that Gosport was one of only two constituencies to not receive Levelling Up funding, despite its Priority 1 status.

She said: “I am thrilled Gosport has finally received the Levelling Up Funding so desperately deserves to help reinvigorate our town, create jobs and attract visitors to our area and help realise our huge potential. 

“I was delighted to support the Council’s Reconnecting Historic Gosport Waterfront project and look forward to working with them to move this forward.”

UK Docks remembers the fallen at moving Remembrance Day ceremony in Falklands

UK Docks took part in a poignant Remembrance Day ceremony more than 8,000 miles from home when Vessel Manager Andy Smith laid a wreath on behalf of the company on a memorial in the Falkland Islands.

Andy paid tribute, on behalf of the company, to the Royal Fleet Auxilliary and also to the memory of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who lost their lives in the 1982 war.

UK Docks maintains a permanent support presence on the island, based in Mare Harbour where our work includes maintaining HMS Forth and HMS Protector in ensuring this part of the globe is patrolled and protected.

That work continues UK Docks' historic connections, having been involved in the rebuild of RFA Sir Tristram, following her loss in the Falklands, and her recovery and routine maintenance thereafter.

The overseas support is part of a £250m contract which has created more than 100 jobs at UK Docks and sees the company operating worldwide.

We continue to service HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, at its dry docks on the River Tees but now services five more vessels - HMS Tamar, HMS Spey, HMS Medway, HMS Trent and HMS Forth - and will hold that responsibility through to 2031.

The vessels’ duties frequently take them to the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indo-Asian Pacific and they need to be ready for anything at a moment’s notice.

Lest We Forget.

UK Docks wins £250m Royal Navy contract to service five more vessels

UK Docks is celebrating today after winning a £250m order from the Royal Navy which is set to create more than 100 new jobs.

The company currently services HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker, at its dry docks on the River Tees but will now go on to service five more vessels over the next eight years under the new contract.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed this morning that the in-service support for HMS Tamar, HMS Spey, HMS Medway, HMS Trent and HMS Forth will be undertaken by UK Docks up until 2031.

And with the vessels operating persistently worldwide in the South Atlantic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indo-Asia Pacific, it means the South Shields-headquartered company will operate globally to ensure the maximum efficiency of the Royal Navy vessels.

The contract represents another huge win against stiff competition for UK Docks, which, in 2018 won a £150m, 10-year contract with the navy to service several of its smaller vessels.

That original contract was a huge step forward for a company originally founded by redundant ex-Swan Hunters’ worker Harry Wilson in a single boat repair yard in South Shields in 1995.

And this week’s new £250m deal takes UK Docks Marine Services to a higher level again.

UK Docks’ managing director Jonathan Wilson, Harry’s son, said: “We are delighted to have secured this new contract, which is the culmination of several years’ work showing UK Docks can deliver the highest standards of service and professionalism the Royal Navy requires for the maintenance of its vessels.

“To have been selected by the Ministry of Defence to support and maintain these five vessels ahead of some of the most historic and prestigious companies operating in this sector is an honour and a responsibility that we are very much aware of.

“The new contract is also a vote of confidence in UK Docks’ management and workforce and a recognition of the services that we have provided to the MoD over the last two decades.

“We see the awarding of this contract to UK Docks as a resounding vote of confidence in homegrown British industry, skills and capability and we look forward to putting those resources at the service of these five important vessels.” 

The five ships are offshore patrol vessels, designed to be deployed globally and to carry out duties include humanitarian support, maritime defence and anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling measures - tasks that had previously been conducted by frigates and destroyers.

At  90 metres long - roughly the length of two Olympic-size swimming pools - they are equipped with a 30mm cannon and flight deck capable of accommodating a Merlin helicopter, a range of more than 5,500 nautical miles and a top speed of more than 20 knots.

The first three - Forth, Medway and Trent - were built by BAE Systems shipyards on the River Clyde in Glasgow - Forth replaced HMS Clyde as the Falkland Islands guardship in

2019, Medway was deployed as the long-term Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship in the Caribbean in 2020 and Trent was deployed to the Mediterranean in 2020 and is now permanently based in Gibraltar.

HMS Tamar and HMS Spey entered service in 2020 and 2021 respectively and are both on long-term deployment in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

Jonathan explained: “Because of their long-term deployment overseas, it means UK Docks’ staff will be doing a lot of travelling abroad to carry out inspections and oversee maintenance, updates and improvements.

“It’s a logistically demanding job but once that we are very much capable of as a team and which we are very much looking forward to beginning.

“The new contract will create dozens of jobs here, based primarily in South Shields in the north east and Gosport on the south coast.

“We also expect well over 100 sub-contractor roles to be created to provide the capability and availability of support needed at reach to fulfil the contract where we will deliver remote support, technical, logistical  and design agent services and management.”

The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said of the deal: “Working closely with our industry partners, we are securing a future for these versatile and important Royal Navy ships, delivering on our promises for UK prosperity and sustained UK presence overseas. 

“The project will also ensure more than 100 UK jobs are supported, contributing to the vibrant health of our shipbuilding industry.”