SMI welcomes UK government support

The UK government’s decision to spend £4 billion (€4.7 billion) on supporting the country’s shipbuilding industry has been warmly welcomed by the Society of Maritime Industries.

The investment, according to the government, will: “Galvanise and support shipyards and suppliers across the UK, with new measures including better access to finance, vital skills building and funding for crucial research and development into greener vessels and infrastructure.

“Designed in partnership with the recently formed National Shipbuilding Office, the strategy ‘Refresh’ will also deliver a pipeline of more than 150 new naval and civil vessels for the UK government and devolved administrations over the next 30 years.

“The vessels will include large warships, border force cutters, lighthouse vessels and the new National Flagship.”

SMI CEO Tom Chant said safeguarding the UK’s sovereign shipbuilding capability for complex naval vessels by strengthening the wider commercial maritime industry was an important step.

“The importance of this capability is underlined by tragic events in Ukraine, which demonstrate Britain requires the resilience to be able to defend itself as an island nation as well as support our allies around the globe.”

“Shipbuilding has been in our blood for centuries and I want to ensure it remains at the heart of British industry of generations to come.,” said UK prime minster Boris Johnson. “The National Shipbuilding Strategy will transform this important and crucial industry, driving technology development and upskilling the shipbuilders of tomorrow. This will ensure the UK is rightly seen as a shipbuilding power across the world.”

“The Society of Maritime Industries has played a key role in the development of this strategy and will continue to be a full partner in its evolution,” said Tom Chant.

“This much anticipated release firmly supports the development of the UK’s shipbuilding enterprise. Our members have consistently told us industry requires confidence. With confidence businesses can invest for the long term, ramping up productivity and apprenticeship programmes.

“The government’s firm commitment to a 30-year shipbuilding pipeline shows it is listening and we further welcome the increased emphasis on the social value of shipbuilding.

“This is a huge step forward which, consistently applied, will help to prevent UK shipbuilding opportunities go abroad.”