BAE Systems has officially opened its new shipbuilding hall on the Clyde at its shipyard in Glasgow.
McLaughlin & Harvey led the build of the facility, with Turner & Townsend supporting the delivery as new engineering contract manager.
The hall has capacity for two Type 26 frigates to be constructed side-by-side, the hall measures 170m-long and 80m-wide, with two 100-tonne cranes and a further two 20-tonne cranes inside.
Currently, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being built in the hall, HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff are being outfitted at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun site further up the River Clyde and steel has been cut on HMS Sheffield.
Designed to accommodate up to 500 workers per shift, BAE Systems said the new facility will boost BAE Systems’ shipbuilding capacity – enabling warships to be built in Glasgow fully undercover for the first time, ensuring that work is unaffected by adverse weather.
The hall, which the firm said will help improve schedule performance and reduce the time between ship deliveries, forms a central part of the £300 million modernisation and digitalisation of BAE Systems’ facilities in Glasgow, playing a vital role in the delivery of eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy.
Named in honour of one of the many women who stepped into vital industrial roles during the Second World War, the opening ceremony of the Janet Harvey Hall in Govan paid tribute to the past and outlined the exciting future the multi-million-pound investment heralds for the city.
At the end of the ceremony, Janet’s nieces joined the Lord Provost to cut the ribbon across the towering hall door – a symbolic gesture officially opening the facility and marking a new era for shipbuilding in Scotland.
Simon Lister, MD of BAE Systems’ naval ships business, said, “The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come. It’s a symbol of pride not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city.”
Stephen Charlick, MOD DE&S type 26 resident project officer, said, “Protecting the United Kingdom and its interests from evolving global threats requires state-of-the-art vessels like the Type 26 frigate and the investment by our industry partner, BAE Systems, underscores the commitment to equipping our armed forces. The Janet Harvey Hall brings an improved approach to warship assembly and outfit, driving quality throughout the build, and this approach supports regular delivery of vessels in line with the Royal Navy need.”
