Naval chief praises progress at revamped Fife shipyard

Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton toured the Methil facility, which is now operated by Navantia UK, to observe upgrades delivered since the company acquired the site in January 2025.

The funding forms part of their wider £157 million investment programme to modernise its four shipyards and rebuild advanced shipbuilding capability.

The site visit included a tour of upgraded facilities such as new welfare units, offices, modular transporters, plasma cutting equipment, and lifting systems (Image: Mark Quinn Photography)

Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, said: "We’re very proud of the investment that has gone into our Methil yard, preparing it to take on contracts of significant shape and size to support the armed forces.

"The site is strategically important for Scotland and for the UK as a whole and we’re bringing it up to date with the most modern possible technology.

"More work for the yard means more jobs and opportunity for local people in Fife.

"It was a pleasure to show Rear Admiral Stratton around the yard, to show him the facilities and to introduce him to some of our apprentices."

The site is being modernised to support defence contracts, including UK sovereign shipbuilding, under the Government’s Defence Investment Plan.

Rear Admiral Stratton received a detailed update on the modernisation programme, which includes new welfare units, offices, self-propelled modular transporters, new plasma cutting equipment, and lifting systems.

He also viewed the construction of a new Rubb building, which will provide covered space for blasting, coating, and finishing work, enabling year-round operations.

Navantia UK recently announced a further £12 million investment in the site, aimed at improving training facilities, upgrading machinery, infrastructure improvements, and implementing new technology.

Since the company completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff’s four UK facilities in January 2025, the yard has returned to full operational status.

The Methil workforce recently delivered the Seahorse pontoon, an £8 million investment which will play a critical role in enabling the construction of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships.

The pontoon will help transport ship blocks between the companys Appledore and Belfast sites.

The upgrades were delivered as part of a £26.7 million investment since the company acquired the facility in January 2025 (Image: Mark Quinn Photography)

Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, director of naval acquisition, said: "It was a pleasure to visit Methil and see first-hand the significant progress being made under Navantia UK ownership.

"The investment in facilities, equipment, and people is transforming the yard's capability and creating opportunities for the local workforce, including a growing number of apprentices who will play a key role in the future of UK shipbuilding.

"The modernisation of Methil demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in sovereign industrial capability and highlights the contribution the yard is making to Defence outputs and the wider Defence Investment Plan."

Methil’s success has led to the award of a competitive international vessel build export contract, prompting the recruitment of an additional 120 staff.

The workforce has grown from 180 to 260, including 54 apprentices, with a further 20 apprentices set to join in September.

This expansion supports Navantia UK’s long-term goal of hiring 500 apprentices by 2030.

The company is focused on developing sovereign industrial capabilities in Scotland.

The company’s work supports both defence and commercial projects.