Nusrat Ghani, Minister Of State Visits Harland & Wolff (Belfast)
Harland & Wolff, the iconic multisite fabrication company with over 160 years of maritime and offshore engineering pedigree has welcomed Nusrat Ghani MP, Minster of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to its Belfast site.
As part of the visit, Ms Ghani toured the yard, met with Group CEO, John Wood and observed the ongoing work as part of the two contracts awarded by Cory for the fabrication of 23 barges which, combined, are worth over £18 million.
This is the first ship build contract win for Harland & Wolff since its Belfast yard was acquired in 2019, now, the company anticipate further such contract wins as it actively targets major fabrication programmes such as Fleet Solid Support warships.
The visit showcased the recent investment and improvements that Harland & Wolff has made to both the site and its workforce, this has included the installation of a state-of-the-art welding robot which cuts manual welding times by 60%, as well as a site-wide workforce ramp up which has brought long-term employment to Belfast and beyond resulting in over 200 employees by the end of 2022.
The company has also recently partnered with Power NI to see the site supplied by local, renewable energy sources, saving over 826 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commented: “Shipbuilding is a core part of our industrial heritage, and the cutting-edge high-tech work underway at Harland & Wolff is proof it is key to our future too. Our world-leading shipwrights create high-skill jobs and boost the economy right across the UK, and we’re determined to support them through our refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy.”
John Wood, Group CEO of Harland & Wolff commented: “It has been a great pleasure to welcome Minister Ghani to site today and to share with her the Harland & Wolff story and future Group-wide growth opportunities. Under the iconic backdrop of our two gantry cranes, Samson and Goliath, we hope this visit has brought the Harland & Wolff vision to life.”
Nusrat Ghani was appointed Minster of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in September 2022.
She was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport from January 2018 to February 2020 and was a Government Whip between July 2019 and December 2019, and an Assistant Government Whip from January 2018 to July 2019.
Harland & Wolff is a multisite fabrication company, operating in the maritime and offshore industry through five markets: commercial, cruise and ferry, defence, energy and renewables.
Its Belfast yard is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe’s largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls. As a result of the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in August 2020, the company has been able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where there will be significant demand.
In February 2021, the company acquired the assets of two Scottish-based yards along the east and west coasts. Now known as Harland & Wolff (Methil) and Harland & Wolff (Arnish).
Harland & Wolff is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc (previously known as InfraStrata plc), a London Stock Exchange-listed firm. In addition, it also owns the Islandmagee gas storage project, which is expected to provide 25% of the UK’s natural gas storage capacity and to benefit the Northern Irish economy as a whole when completed.
News
AUKUS Trilateral Advanced Capabilities Forum bring industry together for first time
AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum will see the participation of 12 Trade Associations representing the Australian, US and UK industry in the…
Commercial Growth for APCL Group
Become a member
We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments
Join US See the BenefitsNewsletter Signup
Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.
Sign Up NowPosidonia 2024
For over half a century the Greek shipping community, owning the world’s largest merchant fleet, has been welcoming international friends to Posidonia. 2024 will be no exception as this...Seawork 2024
The annual exhibition held in Southampton's Mayflower Park brings together over 7,600 industry professionals, 10,500 items of equipment and services, together with over 70 vessels afloat...SMM Hamburg 2024
Held biennially in Hamburg, SMM finds its ideal location in a city boasting a rich maritime heritage and thriving commercial centre. SMI will be co-ordinating and organising the UK Pavilion and group...SMI Annual Conference 2024
Driving Decarbonisation, Digitalisation and Autonomy – the Role of the Maritime Supply Chain and Marine Science and Technology.Euronaval 2024
SMI will be co-ordinating and organising the UK Pavilion and group activities at Euronaval 2024. The 29th edition of Euronaval will provide attendees with a fresh venue, opportunities for...Annual Current Trends in Shipping Review 2024
An in-person symposium taking place 7th November 2023, 10.00 – 13.30 Kindly hosted by Clyde & Co at The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AR.SMI Annual Dinner 2024
The Society of Maritime Industries Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday 28th November 2024 at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8JB.ExpoNaval 2024
ExpoNaval 2024, is organised by FISA, of the GL events Group. Since 1998, this international fair has taken place every two years. It has since established itself as the most important...Ocean Business 2025
Ocean Business 2025 is the global meeting place for ocean science and technology professionals. Companies have the opportunity to connect with thousands of the industry’s brightest minds,...Sea Asia 2025
Sea Asia is a premier maritime conference / exhibition and Asia's Anhcor Maritime and Offshore Event. It will return to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for April...IMDEX Asia 2025
As Asia's leading naval and maritime defence event, IMDEX Asia has mustered the world’s naval elite and the finest fleets of maritime innovations. SMI will be organising and...Nor-Shipping 2025
Nor-Shipping is an important meeting place for companies from across the entire maritime value chain and from around the globe. SMI will be organising and managing a UK Group Pavilion at...Seawork 2025
Seawork is Europe’s largest annual commercial marine and workboat exhibition, bringing together over 7,600 industry professionals, 10,500 items of equipment and services, together with over 70...DSEI 2025
Held at the easy to access ExCel exhibition centre every two years SMI has secured space in DSEI’s Naval Zone to support member companies. The Naval Zone at DSEI is an interactive...KORMARINE 2025
KORMARINE is the largest and most prestigious marine trade exhibition, fully supported by the world’s biggest Shipbuilders in Korea as well as leading international shipowners and offshore...Member Zone
If your company is a member of the Society of Maritime Industries a number of resources are available for which a log-in is required.
LoginResources
Access a wide range of documents, consultations and newsletters which we feel will aid your business activities.
Become a member
We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments
Join Us See the BenefitsNewsletter Signup
Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.
Sign Up NowMarine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
This exciting challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities. The first phase involves a video submission and the finals take place in November this year. Each qualifying team will be provided with an industry simulator to enable them to build the autonomous behaviours required to achieve a series of challenges.
Enter Now