On Friday 30 October, Chancellor John Healey and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced a new offset policy to strengthen their previous pledge to support re-industrialisation and British Industry.
As a British-owned and funded business, UK Docks has invested in British maritime infrastructure, facilities and capabilities.
In a statement, Jonathan Wilson, Managing Director of UK Docks, said: "Whilst an offset policy will undoubtedly increase the levels of investment in Britain, which is positive, it is possibly more significant that the UK Government has re-affirmed their pledge in prioritising defence contract awards to British businesses.
“As a family-owned and operated business, we are already investing in regenerating the British Maritime industry, delivering defence contracts, and we have seen first-hand how sustained investment in domestic capability benefits far beyond individual contracts.
After years of investment in infrastructure by UK Docks, the docks on Teesside are thriving again.
“The projects we are working on, plus our continued reinvestment, mean we are equipped to deliver, and we have the defence support capacity and capability to do more.
"Over the last 30 years, our company has invested heavily, regenerating disused shipyards, boatyards and former Ministry of Defence facilities.
“Land and facilities that had lain unused for many years.
“We have re-trained and re-skilled hundreds of people to work in the marine engineering workspace, turning the lights back on in industry and bringing employment and hope back to people and communities where British industry and shipbuilding once took pride of place."
“The re-industrialisation of Britain is essential to restore the economic position of the country and to support the operational readiness of our sovereign security organisations.
“The Government's commitment to placing contracts with British businesses wherever possible, combined with new requirements for international suppliers to invest back into the UK industrial base, presents a significant opportunity for companies such as UK Docks.
“With extensive infrastructure capacity, specialist maritime expertise and a growing defence portfolio, we are well positioned to support the expansion of UK sovereign capability and supply chain resilience.
Jonathan Wilson concluded by saying, “We have built our business by delivering defence contracts on schedule and within budget for the British Government and Ministry of Defence.
UK Docks Managing Director, Jonathan Wilson.
“Having been awarded contracts to support Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV’s) deployed around the globe, alongside the maintenance of a large part of the workboat and support vessel fleet.
“The business has grown from one slipway on the River Tyne to six boatyards and shipyards around the UK, employing hundreds of specialist employees including steel fabricators, project managers, welders, pipe workers, shipwrights and marine engineers.
“We have also established a network of international yards so that we can continue to support Royal Navy deployments no matter where the ships are around the world."
The new offsets policy will be introduced in April 2027, with the ambition that defence spending should create long-term value for the UK economy and strengthen the nation’s industrial base, a principle that UK Docks Marine Services has been delivering upon for the last three decades.