Cammell Laird Finishes RFA Fort Victoria Refit

UK based shipbuilding and engineering company Cammell Laird  has completed GBP44mln Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria Refit.

The supply ship Fort Victoria, one of the largest vessels operated by the UK Ministry of Defence, has put to sea following the completion of the refit by the Birkenhead-base shipyard and marine engineering services provider.

The year-long programme of work, represented phase two of RFA Fort Victoria’s life extension programme to keep her in service until 2025.

Dubbed ‘Britain’s number one pirate catcher’ after playing a key role in numerous counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, the ship has rejoined the UK’s surface fleet, ready to support task group operations alongside aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The latest upkeep work followed the first refit phase carried out by Cammell Laird in 2014. It was completed under the Through-Life Support contract held by the Birkenhead shipyard since 2008. Key projects included adapting the vessel’s cargo tanks to comply with environmental regulations, and adding the capability to re-supply Britain’s new aircraft carriers with provisions while at sea.

Cammell Laird project director Spencer Atkinson led both the upkeep projects for the Merseyside shipyard, the two biggest refits the RFA has ever undertaken. He said the work represented ‘a monumental achievement’ considering the timescale involved.