Vessel repair firm secures Bangladesh Navy deal

A vessel maintenance and conversion firm has secured a multi-million-pound contract.

UK Docks Marine Services is set to restore the former HMS Enterprise for the Bangladesh Navy.

Bosses say the company will recondition the 3740-tonne vessel at its Middlesbrough dock in “one of the biggest moments in the firm’s history”.

They add the agreement – which represents the business’ first foreign navy deal – will create three permanent and 20 fixed-term roles.

Work is set to include propulsion upgrades, technology enhancements and onboard system maintenance, which officials say will allow the vessel to carry out “hydrographic operations, maritime security and broader sovereign” duties.

The contract reunites the business with the 90.5-metre vessel, which was decommissioned in 2023, having previously serviced the craft during its operational days when it provided survey, humanitarian and disaster response support.

Jonathan Wilson, managing director at UK Docks Marine Services – which has further bases in South Shields, Gosport and Cremyll – said: “This is a completely new development for us, and opens up a lot of possibilities.

“We were among a number of contractors tendering for the work, and I think the fact we had worked on the vessel over many years, and had an excellent track record on it, certainly went in our favour.

“This is one of the biggest moments in UK Docks’ history.”

Launched in 2002, HMS Enterprise was withdrawn from service three years ago.

During its time in operation, Royal Navy officials say it sailed more than 500,000 miles, with notable assignments including the evacuation of civilians from Libya during 2014 civil unrest and the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean.

The latter earned the vessel the Firmin Sword peace prize.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.