UK MOD signs contract for £850 million vessel replacement

The vessels – a mixture of tugs, barges, crane barges and pilot boats – are part of a £850 million (€980 million) contract over 10 years in which Serco will organise the modernisation of the navy’s in-port fleet and support essential daily operations such as towage, passenger transfers and barge and tank cleaning at the naval ports of Devonport, Portsmouth and the Clyde.

Serco has provided in-port services to the Royal Navy for about 30 years, and all along has worked closely with Damen Shipyards. Under this ‘Defence Maritime Service Next Generation (DMS NG) Vessel Replacement Project (VRP), ageing vessels will be replaced from 2027 until 2028.

“The Defence Maritime Services Next Generation Vessel Replacement Project represents a significant step forward in modernising the Ministry of Defence’s auxiliary fleet,” said Guy Barker, Serco’s Maritime Services director. “By combining Serco’s operational expertise with Damen’s proven shipbuilding capabilities, we are confident in delivering a fleet that will enhance the effectiveness and resilience of maritime support operations across the UK’s naval bases.”

USV launch

In August, Serco announced the launch of a ‘No Manning Required Ship’ (NOMARS), which in commercial marine is known as an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), for the US.

The USX-1 Defiant is a prototype vessel for a NOMARS programme, and Serco says it signalled ‘a pivotal moment in Serco’s future of naval architecture and autonomous operations’.

“The USX-1 Defiant represents a radical departure from traditional ship design, conceived from the keel up with no provision or expectation for human crew,” said Serco. “This ‘clean-sheet’ approach aims to deliver unprecedented advantages in size, cost, at-sea reliability, hydrodynamic efficiency and survivability, ultimately enabling a new class of highly capable and cost-effective unmanned surface vessels (USVs).”

The vessel is undergoing demonstrations at sea that are likely to last for some months.

Until 2022, Serco was headed up by the grandson of Winston Churchill, Rupert Soames. He was eventually replaced by Anthony Kirby.

“This watershed is the first time a ship has been designed entirely without human crew members in mind, a significant step towards the US Navy’s ambition of a fleet of USVs capable of operating in contested waters and other dangerous environments without putting the lives of human sailors at risk,” said Kirby.

“With increasing geopolitical tensions driving defence spending across the globe, Serco stands ready to support navies and militaries as they expand their capabilities while safeguarding the security of citizens.”

Some 80% of Serco’s order intake is now in Defence, he said.