The Defence Secretary Des Browne has visited Babcock Marine in Rosyth to witness the start of a £50 million investment project to the dockyard in preparation for the two Royal Navy super carriers.
Des Browne witnessed the signing of a £35m contract by Babcock Engineering Services with Glasgow-based subcontractors Edmund Nuttall Limited to modify the docks in anticipation of the future carrier work.In addition to modifying the dock to accommodate the building of the carriers, key equipment will be purchased, such as the 'Goliath' crane, the largest in the UK. The total investment in Rosyth will amount to £50 million. Defence Secretary, Des Browne said: 'This is a significant investment for shipbuilding in Rosyth and a symbol of our commitment to the two new aircraft carriers which will be the largest ships ever sailed by the Royal Navy. 'I am delighted to see this boost for the maritime industry in Scotland and jobs for Scottish workers.' The CEO of Babcock International Group plc, Peter Rogers and the Babcock Marine CEO, Archie Bethel OBE were also on hand to witness the start of this important project. Peter Rogers said: 'The award of this contract is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the Babcock Marine team and Edmund Nuttall Limited together with our colleagues in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance including the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the Rosyth site is ready to play its part in what is the most exciting and physically largest defence project for many years'. Martin Rogers, Chief Executive of Edmund Nuttall Limited, said: 'We are understandably delighted to have secured this major package of work, extending a long standing and successful relationship between Nuttall Limited and Babcock at Rosyth. We are looking forward now to starting work on site.' |
