Alucatz expands to meet demand

The company, which specialises in the manufacturing of high speed interceptor patrol boats, told Maritime Journal it’s also just taken over another six acres at the Birkenhead Docks after receiving even more interest from the industry.

“Birkenhead covers all our needs and with so much interest, it’s important we have the space to deliver,” Drew Reyland, managing director, told MJ.

Currently the company is in the process of completing the first of a 21 boat order for the supply of 12m steel work boats for an overseas client.

Following delivery, it will turn its attention to the construction of its newly designed interceptor patrol boats, which are part of a contract with the Pakistan Coast Guard. Originally worth £16m, the design of the vessels has now changed from 24m to 20m, but it’s still worth a significant £10m for the company.

The vessels will be powered by revolutionary new engines “capable of running on anything” and according to Mr Reyland, they could help change the industry. These are the same engines used to power Alucatz’s new range of catamaran and monohull windfarm vessels, ranging from 12m to 27m.

And work doesn’t stop there as Mr Reyland told MJ it will be the first British yard to build a floating drydock, which it will tackle later this year and into 2015.

“This contract’s worth £8m for us and it should take around 16-18 months to complete, but we’re going to need more staff, so we’ll also be helping with growth in the area,” he added.

As well as patrol boats, Alucatz also builds tugs, pilot boats, workboats, passenger vessels, windfarm catamarans and monohulls, survey vessels, superyachts, motor yachts, sailing yachts and RIBs, ranging from 4.5m to 100m in steel, aluminium or composite.

By Rachael Doyle