A Fife shipyard has secured a second export contract, leading to a need to expand and hiring dozens of new workers.
Navantia UK has secured the deal for its Methil yard, which will require 60 additional skilled workers to support the next phase of work at the site.
The new roles include welders, platers, riggers, scaffolders, and painters.
Steve Chisholm, general manager at Methil, said: "Winning another export contract shows the progress being made at Methil and the confidence customers are placing in the yard.
"With Seahorse completed, new work coming in and investment going into the site, we are now recruiting more skilled people to help build the yard’s future workload."
This latest contract follows Navantia UK's first export order earlier this year and comes shortly after the completion of the Navantia UK Seahorse barge, which supports the Fleet Solid Support programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The company recently announced a further £12 million investment in the Methil facility, bringing total investment to £26.7 million since acquiring the site in January 2025.
The funding will support upgraded training facilities, modern equipment, improved infrastructure, and new technologies.
Methil is also considered well positioned to support the floating docks programme for HM Naval Base Clyde, following the Chancellor’s announcement earlier this month that the infrastructure will be built and delivered in UK shipyards.
Since Navantia UK's acquisition, the workforce at Methil has grown from 180 to 275 employees.
The latest recruitment drive will further expand the team and support the company’s apprenticeship programme, which currently has 75 apprentices in training.
Katherine Thorn, head of talent and culture at Navantia UK, said: "These are good skilled jobs, with the opportunity to work on significant programmes, develop long-term careers and contribute to the future of shipbuilding in Fife.
"We are looking for experienced welders and platers who want to join a growing team at a yard with a proud industrial heritage and a stronger pipeline of work."
Veteran workers at the yard emphasised the depth of experience and talent in Methil.
Allan Lister, a plater who started in 1985, said: "I've worked all over Britain, and the guys you worked with here, nine times out of ten, were better than anybody else."
Willie Gibson, a welder who started in 1982, added: "We've got some really good apprentices."
Rhea Wolfson, GMB Scotland secretary, welcomed the progress, saying: "Under new ownership, this shipyard is going from strength to strength with new investment being reflected in orders and recruitment.
"The importance of these skilled jobs and quality apprenticeships to the communities of Fife and Scotland’s industrial capability cannot be overstated."
For more information on the new roles, visit: Careers.
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