Geoffrey has hailed the selection by the MOD of a consortium, including Appledore Shipyard and Harland & Wolff, as preferred bidder to build three Fleet Support ships worth £1.6 Billion for the Royal Navy as “the most fantastic news” and a vindication of the faith local communities have had in their shipyard.
The news comes after another award to Appledore Shipyard in July of an MOD contract for a £55 million refit of HMS Quorn, a mine hunter being sold to Lithuania. The MP, who has consistently lobbied the Government at the highest levels for Appledore Shipyard to play a part in the MOD’s plans for the expansion of the Royal Navy, described himself as “over the moon”.
Geoffrey said:
“I am over the moon that Appledore Shipyard and Harland & Wolff are to be a big part of this major Royal Navy shipbuilding programme. Congratulations to all those who never gave up their faith in the Yard and to Harland & Wolff for developing this successful bid. This is a new and exciting era for Appledore Shipyard. It places our Shipyard at the heart of our national Defence Shipbuilding capacity, which is where it should be, and it is a huge boost for our communities.”
