Babcock News

Babcock has marked two major milestones at its Rosyth shipyard in Scotland as the keel was laid for HMS Formidable, the third ship in the UK’s Type 31 frigate program, and the company announced an expanded partnership with U.S. defense contractor HII to support construction of Virginia-class submarines.The keel laying signals continued progress on the Type 31 program, under which five frigates are due for delivery to the Royal Navy within 10 years of contract signing. The ceremony saw the first modular section of the ship positioned over a coin…

HII and Babcock International Group announced they have signed a contract that expands their strategic partnership to further support Virginia-class submarine construction throughput at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. Additionally, the contract will build resiliency within HII’s submarine supply base.This is the first Virginia-class outsourced contract to Babcock in support of NNS-specific submarine work, authorizing Babcock to build complex submarine assemblies…

Sweden will choose a supplier for its multi-billion Swedish crown acquisition of four new frigates early next year, the defence minister said on Monday.Sweden is in an intense buildup of its forces in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is looking to increase its navy fleet with bigger ships."I think and I hope that we can make a decision by early next year in regards to our new frigates program," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a news conference with the French…

The U.K. and Indonesia have agreed a $5.23 billion (£4 billion) maritime deal that will secure around 1,000 jobs in Britain and strengthen defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.The new Maritime Partnership Programme, led by British defense firm Babcock, will see both countries jointly develop maritime capability for Indonesia’s navy and build more than 1,000 vessels for its fishing fleet to support food security.The vessels will be built in Indonesia using British shipbuilding expertise…

Babcock has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems Bofors to offer a comprehensive package of support for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates multi-purpose Bofors guns.Babcock and BAE Systems Bofors will work collaboratively for the anticipated in-service support (ISS) opportunity for the Bofors 40 Mk4 and 57 Mk3 Naval Gun Systems.The companies are already working together as the Bofors guns are being installed on the fleet of five Type 31…

HII is partnering with shipyards and fabricators in multiple states to grow its throughput and meet the increased demand for ships by the U.S. Navy. With its customer’s support, HII is bringing the work to more companies and more jobs in more states, expanding capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base and improving schedule adherence for all ships built by HII.HII’s structural assembly network, consisting of companies that contribute to outsourced modular assembly of ships…

Babcock International Group and HII signed a memorandum of understanding to bring together HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and Babcock’s submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The goal of the collaboration is to deliver autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs via submarine torpedo tubes, strengthening the undersea advantage of allied navies. This is the first program of its kind within the Babcock Mission Systems business.As UUVs become increasingly vital to future undersea operations…

U.K. defense contractor Babcock International has unveiled plans to relocate over 2,000 staff from its Devonport Royal Dockyard to a new center in Plymouth city center, in a move designed to stimulate regional economic growth and social development.The announcement comes as Babcock outlines its increasing influence across society as its impact, beyond the balance sheet from the Defense Dividend, is revealed.To further unlock potential and transform thousands of lives and businesses…

ABS issued approval in principle (AiP) to Pherousa Shipping for its ammonia cracking technology onboard ships, featuring proton exchange membrane fuel cells and fuel gas supply system (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.The emissions-free propulsion system is targeted for application on Pherousa’s Ultramax 64,000 dwt bulk carrier to transport copper, a key material in solar panels and electric cars, in fully emissions free vessels.“We are seeing rapid innovation and new developments around ammonia as an alternative fuel, whether as a carrier of hydrogen or as a fuel in its own right.

Babcock International Group has been awarded a three-year contract to prepare for the first nuclear defueling of a decommissioned Trafalgar Class submarine in over 20 years. The operations will take place at Babcock’s Devonport facility in Plymouth, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s Submarine Dismantling Project.The £114 million ($155 million) contract from the Ministry of Defence will see Babcock working collaboratively with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) and leading industry partners to prepare for the defuel of four decommissioned submarines…

Britain said on Monday it would radically change its approach to defence to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyber-attacks by investing in drones and digital warfare rather than relying on a much larger army to engage in modern combat.Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's insistence that Europe take more responsibility for its own security, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged the largest sustained increase in British defence spending since the end of the Cold War.But with limited finances…

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd has officially welcomed Graeme Thomson, who began his tenure as CEO at the beginning of May. Thomson, who started his career as an electrician by trade and got into shipbuilding as an apprentice, has extensive construction and shipbuilding experience. He joined Ferguson Marine from Babcock where he was Program Director, overseeing the delivery of Type 31 Royal Navy frigate program.Thomson has dedicated his early days to getting to know the people at Ferguson Marine, setting out his vision for the business and familiarizing himself with its operations.

Navantia UK has announced the appointment of Derek Jones as Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer.Jones brings over 30 years of experience in the defense sector to Navantia UK, including leadership roles at Babcock International Group, BAE Systems, and GEC Marconi. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Type 31 Frigate Program at Babcock, where he led a USD$2 billion (£1.5 billion) capital asset design and manufacture contract with the UK Ministry of Defence.During his time at Babcock…

Babcock International Group has been awarded a USD$84 million (£65 million), five-ship contract to deliver the Capability Insertion Period (CIP) for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates being built by the company at its Rosyth facility in Scotland.The CIP adds crucial capabilities that will support the ships throughout their life and includes the insertion, testing and enhancement of a number of upgrades that will enhance the Type 31’s military capability.The activities will take place at Babcock’s facility in Rosyth…

Lloyd's Register (LR) has approved the design of ammonia dual-fuel systems design for Trafigura's newbuild medium gas carriers (MGCs).LR completed an extensive design evaluation and safety assessment to approve the designs in line with its rules and international regulations.Implementing ammonia dual-fuel systems on these vessels marks a significant step towards expanding the use of low-carbon fuels beyond specialized vessels to more diverse ship types.Trafigura is one of the…

Scottish shipbuilder Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) has appointed a Graeme Thomson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Graeme will officially take up the position on May 1, 2025, following on from former interim CEO, John Petticrew.Graeme joins Ferguson Marine from international aerospace, defense and nuclear engineering services business, Babcock, where he has been Programme Director since 2019, overseeing the delivery of the Type 31 Royal Navy frigate program.Prior to joining Babcock…

Norwegian maritime technology company Pherousa has secured approvals in principle (AiPs) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV for its ammonia cracking technology onboard ships, featuring PEM Fuel Cells and Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.Pherousa, together with partners, is developing ammonia cracking technology that could make the transition to fossil-free and zero-emission propulsion within the maritime short- to deep-sea transport sectors a reality.Key partners in the work towards the two AiPs include the designers Deltamarin…

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, is creating more than 100 jobs at its newly-opened Submarine Availability Support Hub (SASH) in Bristol, as the company invests in supporting the development of nuclear skills and defence infrastructure in the South West of England.The facility brings together partners and experts from across the Defense Nuclear Enterprise including: Babcock, the Ministry of Defense, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the UK’s Royal Navy…

Babcock has awarded the recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK (KDCV) as part of U.K.’s demonstrator project to fully dismantle a nuclear-powered submarine Swiftsure.Babcock is working with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) and KDCV on the demonstrator dismantling project, applying a new and innovative methodology which will enable around 90% of the structure and components to be reused or recycled.This includes the pressure hull around the reactor compartment…

There is a small but global fleet of clean up boats preventing trash from flowing into the ocean. More than that, these battery-powered, autonomous boats are performing a growing range of other tasks.For the developers of Clearbot, the inspiration to be involved in removing trash from waterways arose from personal experience. They had watched villagers in India catching fish in rivers carpeted with trash and surfers in Bali manually hauling in trash from otherwise beautiful beaches.Samyuktha Sriram…

Defence company Babcock International Group and the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia are set to collaborate on a new program of professional internships following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement.This summer, two Naval Academy students will take part in a six-week internship in Gdynia. During this time, they will work alongside Babcock employees to develop their skills and understanding of the marine industry. They will also have the opportunity to visit Babcock’s Rosyth operations and learn more about the international business.Ewa Kittel-Prejs…

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy offloaded $44.2 million worth of cocaine in San Diego, last week.The crew aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Yellowknife (HMCS-706) and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team interdicted more than 3,100 lbs. of cocaine approximately 430 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, September 5.Capt. Tim Lavier, Eleventh Coast Guard District chief of response, said, “Deploying a Coast Guard law enforcement team aboard a Canadian…

ECOLOG's low pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design has been awarded an approval in principle (AIP) from ABS, the classification society announced.This AIP is the result of cooperation within a joint industry project (JIP) on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft. The design maximizes energy integration and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.The project team included Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.