Cammell Laird secures hundreds of Merseyside jobs with £200m research vessel contract

Merseyside shipbuilding firm Cammell Laird is set to build a £200m polar research vessel, securing hundreds of jobs and bringing a major boost to the region’s economy.

The Birkenhead-based firm was selected by the Natural Environment Research Council as the preferred company to deliver the project, following a competitive 12-month tender process that drew bids from companies across the UK, Europe and the Far East.

Jo Johnson, the Universities and Science Minister, said: “As a One Nation Government we are investing in science capital on a record scale.

“This £200m investment secures the UK’s position as a world leader in polar research and provides a major boost to shipbuilding in the North West.”

He continued: “Britain has long been a pioneer in ocean science, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Cammell Laird’s success in this competition is testament to this expertise and our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries in marine science.”

The ship, which will operate in both the Arctic and Antarctica, will have the ability to spend around two months in sea ice, allowing onboard scientists make more data-gathering observations.

Commenting on the multi-million pound contract, Chancellor George Osborne said: “In last year’s Budget I committed £200m to help put Britain at the forefront of polar research, and I’m delighted to see the preferred bidder is a UK company in the heart of our Northern Powerhouse.

“This will help secure vital jobs and apprenticeships in the North West and also make sure Britain stays at the cutting edge of polar research.”

The Cammell Laird vessel will be the first polar research ship constructed in Britain with a helicopter pad, potentially opening up previously inaccessible locations to scientific observation.

John Syvret, the chief executive of Cammell Laird, commented: “The new contract, which will be finalised later this year, is expected to secure 400 jobs at Cammell Laird and a further 100 jobs within the local supply chain.

“Being selected as the preferred bidder in a global tender to undertake such an exciting and major infrastructure project is fantastic news for our workforce, the local region and the UK.”

Mr Syvret added: “We look forward to helping the UK explore the depths of the ocean and push the boundaries of UK science.”

Robotic submarines will disembark from the ship to gather data on marine biology and oceanic conditions, while onboard systems and airborne robots will provide scientists with information about the surrounding polar environment.

Funding for the ship, announced in April 2014, comes as part of the government’s science capital programme.

Once complete, the vessel will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

Jane Francis, BAS director, commented: “This new research ship will be a tremendous asset to the UK polar science community.

“Our science and operational teams have been working closely with research colleagues from Britain’s leading universities and institutes to help create a world-leading science facility. We very much look forward to seeing our ideas become a reality.”

She added: “This is a very exciting time for UK polar science.”

The Wirral shipyard is expected to cut steel in the autumn of next year, making the polar research ship ready by 2019.