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Harland & Wolff reveals industry expansion plan

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Harland & Wolff Group has revealed plans to extend its Belfast facility as part of a £77 million recapitalisation strategy for maritime defence.  

H&W signage.
Credit: Harland & Wolff Group
by Rory ButlerFebruary 22, 2023

The engineering services firm has submitted a planning application for a 4,997 sqm extension to its existing fabrication halls. 

H&W specialises in strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset lifecycle management for maritime and offshore industries. 

The extension will facilitate the automated fabrication of panels up to 16 sqm that will be used for the Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme (FSSP), which aims to deliver up to three fleet solid support ships to the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary.    

H&W currently operates from halls in Belfast covering around 35,000 sqm and it is these that will incorporate most of the upgrades, with a focus on automated and robotic machinery.  

Demolition works on certain structures will happen before the end of the month to facilitate construction of the new facilities.  

These upgrades, along with an increase in the overall size of the fabrication halls, will ensure the company is prepared for future domestic and export opportunities already in the pipeline, it said. 

“The extension of the fabrication halls will give us a substantially improved production flow making us more efficient and cost effective,” said John Wood, Group CEO, Harland & Wolff. 

Harland & Wolff was approached for comment about which firms will be in its delivery team. 

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