Serco has secured three major contracts valued at over £1 billion from the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver maritime services for the Royal Navy. These contracts, which include modernisation and expansion of existing capabilities, will commence later this year.
The international services provider has supported the Royal Navy for nearly 30 years, delivering a range of critical services from military training exercises to harbour assistance. These new contracts will extend that partnership with enhanced services and new responsibilities.
The largest contract, valued at approximately £850 million over ten years, covers the delivery of in-port services at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, HMNB Portsmouth, and the Clyde, including HMNB Faslane. As part of the modernisation effort, Serco will procure 24 new vessels to replace older ones currently in service. The contract covers vessel towage, passenger transfer, and barge and tank cleaning services at Portsmouth and Devonport.
The second contract, worth around £70 million over five years, focuses on inshore support for military training at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) off the northwest coast of Scotland. This contract also includes diver training support, range safety, and aircrew training, delivered in partnership with Briggs Marine.
The third contract, valued at approximately £110 million over ten years, will provide offshore support for military training and exercises. This includes operating two specialist ocean-going vessels for regional and global missions.
Anthony Kirby, Serco Group Chief Executive, commented: “We are proud to have been awarded these three contracts and to have the privilege of continuing to provide critical operational services to the Royal Navy. These awards further strengthen our position in the defence market, where we provide deep expertise around the world.”
He emphasised that Serco has maintained a high standard of service over the past 28 years and will continue to modernise the support vessel fleet to meet the Navy’s evolving requirements.
The new contracts with the Royal Navy build on Serco’s existing portfolio of defence services. Recent global wins include a £1 billion contract to manage the UK Armed Forces Recruitment Service, a $320 million contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers at the US Space Force’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, and a $96 million agreement to modernise the US Navy’s guided missile frigates.
Additionally, Serco is part of a consortium providing maintenance to the Belgian and Dutch mine-countermeasure fleets, and has secured contracts to support soldier readiness within the US Army and ship system management with the US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
Photo by Mattbuck. [CC BY-SA 2.0]
Left before Serco took over recruitment ,have been told by many lads that have also left ,that they would rather had ,had serving personel at the careers office rather than Civvies who had no idea how the Navy ticks. .I thought that Serco were ending their contract with recruitment? .
Assume third contract is for Northern River and Victoria?
Interestingly, SD Victoria remains MoD owned of the SD fleet, no doubt due to her roles.