A&P Contracted for Navy Tanker Maintenance
A&P Group, the UK’s largest ship repair firm has bagged a £15 million military contract to complete the fit-out of the Royal Navy support group’s new fleet of tankers.
The Cornish shipbuilder will customize and maintain the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s four new tankers, which are due to come into service from next year, for at least three years.
The announcement was made by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne during a visit to A&P Falmouth at the port's docks this morning.
Osborne said that the Ministry of Defense (MoD) contract will also help secure 350 existing jobs at A&P Falmouth, as well as providing six apprenticeships. The new ships will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability tankers will maintain the Royal Navy's ability to refuel at sea and will provide fuel to warships and task groups. The tankers will support deployed amphibious, land and air forces close to the shore and will have the ability to operate helicopters.
The four tankers are planned to enter service from 2016 and A&P will provide through-life support to all four ships in service for a minimum of three years.
John Syvret CBE, CEO of Atlantic & Peninsula Marine Services Limited, said this latest contract will underpin the growth of A&P Group over the next five years.
The announcement means that 13 Royal Navy vessels are now being maintained in Falmouth.
