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Major Progress Made for Harland & Wolff


Harland & Wolff, the wholly owned subsidiary of InfraStrata plc, soon to be known as Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc is pleased to share a news update which highlights key successes across its Belfast and Appledore sites, and the progression it has seen in both the Fleet Solid Support Warships and National Flagship competitions.

Harland & Wolff (Belfast)

The Harland & Wolff (Belfast) team provided its first major in-service support to Virgin Voyage’s Scarlet Lady cruise vessel. The team provided the necessary support efficiently and without having to take it out of operation. This is a significant step towards providing high value add services to clients whilst ensuring vessels remain in operation – saving clients’ money by avoiding dry dockings and the need to take vessels out of service.

Harland & Wolff (Belfast) is bolstering its global reputation as a large vessel ready facility that is open for business. Currently home to the P&O Azura, the largest cruise vessel to have entered the Belfast yard thus far, and at the quayside of the Repair Dock, Harland & Wolff (Belfast) is also set to welcome the Dorset Spirit, a crude oil tanker measuring over 279 meters in length. Sailing from Canada into Harland & Wolff’s Building Dock for repair works, this is the first time since the acquisition of the assets in 2019 that a vessel of this size will enter the Building Dock.

Harland & Wolff (Appledore)

At Harland & Wolff (Appledore), the company awaits the arrival of the MT Entsha, an offshore supply ship, expected to arrive during the third week of October. Fabrication work has already commenced on a major crane upgrade and mezzanine deck as part of its wider conversion works that will be undertaken once the vessel has docked. This project effectively reactivates Harland & Wolff (Appledore)’s fabrication halls and demonstrates its readiness to take on larger and more complex works programmes.

Team Resolute

As reported in the press, Team Resolute has been down-selected by the Ministry of Defence for the Fleet Solid Support Programme and has been invited into the next phase of the programme – the Commercial Procurement Phase (CPP). Harland & Wolff is an integral part of Team Resolute and will be participating in the first stage, the design stage, within the CPP, alongside BMT and Navantia.

National Flagship

As the UK Government launched the National Shipbuilding Office earlier this week, an announcement was made that the Harland & Wolff led consortium that includes Foreship and SMC has been successfully down-selected for the design phase of the prestigious National Flagship Programme. The ship will be built in the UK with construction expected to begin as soon as next year.

John Wood, Group CEO of commented: “It is fantastic to see multiple contracts being awarded to Harland & Wolff across Belfast and Appledore. These range from minor “bread & butter” type of works to major contracts that have the capacity to grow even more in value over time. We are now being recognised as a shipyard business that is professional, cost effective and customer attentive. This recognition is clearly demonstrated by a series of new client wins and repeat business from our existing clients. Looking ahead, I believe that we have laid the firm foundations for rapid growth and the build-up of a contractual pipeline for 2022 and beyond.”

Harland & Wolff Website: https://www.harland-wolff.com/

About InfraStrata plc

InfraStrata plc is a London Stock Exchange-listed firm focused on the development, commercialisation, and operation of advanced high-value strategic infrastructure facilities across the globe.

The company (formerly Portland Gas plc) demerged from Egdon Resources plc on 16th January 2008 and was admitted to the AIM market on 17th January 2008. The name changed to InfraStrata plc on 15th December 2009. InfraStrata plc is incorporated in the UK, which is its main country of operation.

About Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc is a multisite fabrication company, operating in the maritime and offshore industry through five markets: commercial, cruise and ferry, defence, oil & gas and renewables and six services: technical services, fabrication and construction, decommissioning, repair and maintenance, in-service support and conversion.

Its Belfast yard is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe’s largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls. As a result of the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in August 2020, the company has been able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where this will be significant demand.

In February 2021, the company acquired the assets of two Scottish based yards along the east and west coasts. Now known as Harland & Wolff (Methil) and Harland & Wolff (Arnish), these facilities will focus on fabrication work within the renewable, oil and gas and defence sectors.

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc, is a London Stock Exchange-listed firm. In addition, it also owns the Islandmagee gas storage project, which is expected to provide 25% of the UK’s natural gas storage capacity and to benefit the Northern Irish economy as a whole when completed.