A&P Tyne win huge aircraft carrier contract

Nov 10 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance is a team formed from BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and the MOD, which acts as both a partner and a client. It is responsible for delivering the Queen Elizabeth Class ships to time and cost.

A&P Tyne boasts the largest dock on the east coast of England with two deep water berths. The site has a modern fabrication facility capable of turning out up to 10,000 tonnes of steel per annum for both marine and civil structures. The QE Class Aircraft Carriers will be the largest surface warships ever constructed for the UK and will be 65,000 tonnes at full displacement – more than three times the size of the current Invincible Class Aircraft Carriers.

Constituency MP for Jarrow and the A&P Tyne yard in Hebburn, Stephen Hepburn said: “This is a historic day for shipbuilding in the North East.

“It is fantastic that the A&P Tyne workforce, particularly the young apprentices starting a career at the yard will have the opportunity to work on a project which is so important to the nation.”

The news comes after A&P won a contract to refit P&O ferries.

The deal was to work on the Pride of Dover vessel, which was to undergo hull preparation and painting, overhauling of sea valves and steel repairs.