A&P Tyne win huge aircraft carrier contract

Nov 10 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

A £55m contract to build parts of two new aircraft carriers has gone to a North East shipbuilding firm.

A&P Tyne, based in Hebburn, South Tyneside, has won the deal from the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA).

It is hoped the project, to construct sections of the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales for the Royal Navy, will safeguard the futures of A&P’s 210-strong workforce for five further years.

The sections of the ships which will be built on Tyneside will make up part of the mid-section of the aircraft carriers and will each weigh 4,000 tonnes – the equivalent of 420 double decker buses.

A&P Group managing director David Skentelbery said: “Our Hebburn workforce has a proud tradition of delivering a first-rate job and I have no doubt they will continue to do so on this hugely prestigious project.

“At A&P Tyne, we are set to deliver a substantial part of these ships and I am delighted we can represent the North East on the project.”

Aircraft Carrier Alliance Programme Director Geoff Searle said: “This is a fantastic day for A&P Tyne and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. These carriers will be this country’s future flagships so our primary focus and that of our contractors is ensuring we deliver the best vessels possible to the Royal Navy.

“The commitment of the Tyneside workforce to building these ships for the UK Armed Forces is very evident and I am delighted that A&P Tyne is now officially on contract and has started to make great progress on the first ship.”