Ferguson Marine has recently completed hull sections for the UK’s Type 26 frigate programme.
These crucial sections were expertly transported from Ferguson Marine’s yard in Port Glasgow to BAE Systems’ facility in Govan.
This task was carried out by Coastworks using their newly introduced CW-9 barge, shown above in front of HMS Cardiff, marking its first operational deployment. The CW-9, a 50m x 18.8m flattop barge, boasts a significant cargo capacity of 1,880 tonnes, which is instrumental for heavy and large-scale maritime logistics.
Here’s an image of the steel being loaded on at Ferguson Marine.
The transfer of these steel sections was managed on behalf of Osprey Group, known for their specialisation in the delivery and installation of some of the world’s heaviest assets and largest abnormal loads.
Here’s the hull section arriving at Govan.
BAE Systems told me
“We have outsourced steelwork fabrication for a limited number of units to support delivery of the Type 26 programme. This is typical for a programme of this scale and offers an opportunity for UK companies to play their part on this national endeavour.”
The Type 26 programme, aimed at replacing the older Type 23 frigates, involves constructing eight state-of-the-art anti-submarine warfare frigates to enhance the operational capabilities of the Royal Navy. The steel units produced by Ferguson Marine are key components of HMS Belfast, the third ship in the Type 26 series.
This outsourcing of steelwork fabrication to various UK shipyards like Ferguson Marine is part of a deliberate effort to distribute workload effectively and maintain project timelines.
Keep this up. Crucial for several reasons.
The quicker these ships are built the better, we need to increase our surface fleet size asap !!
We need to work on personnel before we can even try to expand beyond what we currently have.
This here, especially for the RFA needed to support a larger fleet
Agreed, it’s not flashy, but critical at this point- for the whole armed forces.
No, we don’t need to build the surface fleet so fast that we end up with unemployed dock workers and govan closing it’s doors when the “feast” ends and the “famine” begins.
I vote for permanent feast. An escort every year, a large RFA or navy ship every 2 years and a sub every 18 months.
20 years gets 20 escorts, 10 larger ships, 13 subs.
You could do with more than 20 escorts and thought we were headed to 24. 3 groups of 8. 8 being the most efficient number per type for continuous operability.
Much needed increased build capacity if BAE are hoping to win the contract for Norway without impacting too much on RN delivery.
Hopefully will also help tide Fergusons over whilst it sorts itself out
Yes, it’s good for keeping industrial skills up and utilising the capacities of other yards. It’ll be great boost if the UK gets the Norwegian T26 order and make a nice Canada-UK-Norway crescent of operators across the north, far north.
That’s from our perspective but probably not from Moscows ! But the really big impact of all those T26 derivatives is invisible as it’s in the U.K supply chain. If Norway buys 5, RAN 6, RCN 15 and RN 8 that’s 34 engineering spaces to be outfitted with entire sets of MT30 and MTU Diesels all built by RR Power Systems.
Not to mention the electrical drives etc. which I believe are produced near Rugby? As long as the government stepped in and prevented GE from moving it to France, which I believe they did.
What’s the thinking on the CAN order? Any rumours about cuts?
Maybe with quite a few countries now announcing increases in defence spending we can look forward with at least a bit more optimism than before but looking backwards and seeing both the RN and RAN scale back their initial T26 plans (from 13 to 8 and from 9 to 6 respectively) and with so much past history of frigate/destroyer programmes getting scaled back it does still make me a bit nervous about the CAN’s 15 number holding fast.
I hope Canada will go ahead with all 15. It would be impressive to see what I assume would by the end of the programme be multiple Canadian governments stick to the original plan all the way through its implementation phase to ultimately deliver the full scope of work as originally planned.
Quite an interesting photo and what a composition ! This sub assembly is part of one of the forward Mega Blocks, so it really is a “now and then” shot.
Fergusons may now have a secure future, if they can pass BAe QC, deliver on time and in a cost effective way.
Looking at it objectively BAe must have been given the financial nod to increase the build tempo months ago. We knew Fergusons were going to be doing “Hotwork” sub contracting but now with CL and A&P adding extra capacity as well it’s looking good. It will be very interesting to see if they also build sub assemblies or actual blocks.
My only concern is the time taken for outfitting, the last large complex surface ship to be outfitted there was Duncan in 2013. If they are serious about a 15 month Drum beat then they need to speed that part of the process to match.
I’d say better BAe get those robots up and running faster, far more efficient than carting bits of ship around the Clyde or from any other part of the country.
Thankfully the mega block method of construction will stop once the new hall is built instead it’ll be block build keel up removing the need to join large blocks which drains time and money. So we’ll enter a far more efficient build cycle for the t26.
Keeping Ferguson’s running while it finishes the ferry’s is important. It’s an extra place for people to train, learn skills etc. if they show they have turned things around they should get more small boat work. They couldn’t bid on the latest ferry contracts as the current ferry work was in the way.
I would add with Ferguson’s, Govan, Scotsoun and rosyth all within an hours travel of each other really boosts skill retention. Then barrow is only 2-3 hours away also.
Hopefully once BAe get its new robot welders up and running the need to outsource and paying costs to move bits of hull around the country will stop.
It’s a miracle they completed a small section on time. Why would anybody use this company with it’s reputation of delays and over budgets. They can’t build ferries and they’ve been given work on a warship.
Totally agree. They appear to be masters of incompetence,just like the procurement clowns
A tool is only as good as the person using it. As far as I can see the Hotwork by the workforce wasn’t the issue it was absolutely everything else.
Political interference, incompetent management, financial issues, over ambitious spec, total lack of knowledge on revolutionary power system and simply appalling project Management.
BAe wouldn’t be using them unless they were confident that the work will pass their QC.
It’s almost as if there was a desire to ensure the yard got the contract, which is a reasonable endeavour for a vital skill to retain, but was too weak to say state aid rules be damned* and apologies but the ferries will be delayed whilst revolutionary design is finalised. So the yard has ended up in this mess.
* or too inept to find a smart way around the rules in sane way as other eu nations
Did you see the original bow on Glen Sannox, if I were a welder I’d be embarrassed.
Baby steps. Not quite making spitfires in car workshops but this is a practical example of moving industry onto a war footing.
👍🏻
How many years late was this, given the track record with the ferries?
The issues are well known. The Lib-Con government in 2010 slashed defence spending. That was then. Now we are moving forward and I am pleased as a patriot to see this reversal having an impact if not in material ways as yet but in policy stances. In the larger scheme of things manufactured, we as the U.K. needed to ‘get it together’ following decades of decline. This news is, in reality, a small step in that direction but one I would like to see replicated around the U.K.
Some simple flat panel hull sections , enough to keep fabricator/welders occupied . Better to have skilled people employed helping out the shortfalls at BAE instead of dumping them on the dole.
Good on Ferguson’s. The yard really needs some good work stories to get past the ferry mess.
BAE wouldn’t have given them any work unless they were confident the yard was up to the job.
The yard is meant to be quite different to what it was during the ferry/nationalisation time.
Keeping Ferguson’s running while it finishes the ferry’s is important. It’s an extra place for people to train, learn skills etc.
If the yard can show they have turned things around they should get more small boat work. They couldn’t bid on the latest ferry contracts as the current ferry work was in the way.
With Ferguson’s, Govan, Scotsoun and rosyth all within an hours travel of each other really boosts skill retention. Then barrow is only 2-3 hours away also. That all plays into the ship building strategy and it should continue so long as the government doesn’t ruin it.
is there a way to get rid of the entire procurement section of the MOD, and hire everyone in the Swedish one?
Good for Fergussons, good for the RN.