Scottish Secretary Ian Murray will cut steel on a giant barge at a Fife shipyard on Tuesday, officially marking the start of fabrication for a vessel crucial to Royal Navy ship construction. The ceremony at Navantia UK's Methil plant represents a significant milestone for the defence project.
The massive barge will weigh 1,400 tonnes when completed and measure 85 metres long by 25 metres wide - equivalent to the surface area of 10 tennis courts. Once finished, it will be transported to Navantia's Appledore shipyard in Devon, where bow sections of three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Navy will be built before moving to Belfast.
Investment creates jobs
Navantia UK is investing £8 million in building the barge, creating 35 new jobs at the Fife facility. The project allows the company to recruit 14 new apprentices immediately and continue its established apprenticeship programme for developing marine engineers.
The investment comes after Navantia UK took over the Methil yard and another Scottish facility from Harland and Wolff last year. The barge is designed for long-term use and will support future projects beyond the current Navy contract.
Official reactions
Murray described the development as "fantastic news" and praised the skilled workforce. "Workers at the yard are highly skilled and will be playing a key role delivering in this important defence contract," he said, adding that he was eager to see progress since the UK Government helped broker the Navantia takeover.
Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said the project "shows how our armed forces act as an engine for growth, driving economic opportunity across the UK and delivering on the Government's plan for change". He emphasised that the barge will support Fleet Solid Support ships that keep the Carrier Strike Group supplied at sea.
Trade union representatives welcomed the expansion, with GMB Scotland's Robert Deavy calling it "progress towards a secure and sustainable future for a yard that is capable of playing an important role in Scotland's industrial strategy". Unite's Bob MacGregor particularly praised the apprenticeship opportunities as "a great step forward for the yard".
Defence spending context
The project aligns with the UK Government's pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with ministers hoping to reach 3% in future parliamentary terms. This represents a significant commitment to strengthening Britain's military capabilities and supporting defence-related industries.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
