MoD confirms submarine shiplift on Clyde undergoing maintenance

In response to a parliamentary inquiry from Mark Francois, Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the submarine shiplift at HMNB Clyde is currently undergoing scheduled routine maintenance and upgrade work.

This shiplift plays a critical role in the servicing and repair of the UK’s fleet of submarines, including its Vanguard class vessels.

Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, provided the following response:

“The shiplift at HMNB Clyde is undergoing scheduled routine maintenance and upgrade work. Costs for key assets in the naval base are included in the routine maintenance contract with Babcock. It would not be appropriate to provide detailed availability of critical infrastructure assets due to operational sensitivities.”

While no specific timeline or cost details were provided due to the sensitive nature of the work, this follows the Ministry’s broader efforts to ensure the base’s infrastructure remains fit for purpose in supporting the UK’s strategic naval capabilities.

The shiplift, which handles vital maintenance tasks, is essential to the operational readiness of Faslane’s submarine fleet. The facility is used to lift vessels out of the water for maintenance, repair, or transfer to a dry dock.

Unlike traditional dry docks where water is drained to expose a ship’s hull, a shiplift raises the entire vessel vertically using a platform, supported by a system of cables or hydraulic mechanisms. Once lifted, the ship can be worked on. This method is particularly useful for submarines and large vessels, enabling more efficient use of dockyard space and facilitating complex maintenance tasks without needing a full dry dock.

The 30-year-old shiplift has been unavailable for at least some of the time during the last few years, you can learn more about it at the ever excellent NavyLookout website.