On November 8, 2023, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC announced that it had entered into an agreement with Austal Ships Pty Ltd for a technology transfer aimed at developing next-generation aluminium vessels.
The London-based fabrication company, serving the maritime and offshore industries through its facilities in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, disclosed that this memorandum of understanding entails Austal sharing its designs for advanced aluminium patrol vessels and transferring specialized manufacturing knowledge to Harland & Wolff.
Additionally, the agreement covers equipment procurement and supply chain management for aluminium vessels, with Harland & Wolff planning to construct these vessels at its Appledore facility in Devon.
Harland & Wolff, in collaboration with Austal, has identified contract opportunities for aluminium vessels in the UK market and intends to pursue these opportunities once the agreement is finalised jointly. The company anticipates that this MoU will significantly boost its prospects of securing contracts for aluminium vessels.
Furthermore, Harland & Wolff mentioned that both the government and private sector had issued tenders for lightweight and high-speed aluminium vessel contracts.
John Wood, the Chief Executive Officer of Harland & Wolff, said: "I am delighted to have signed this MoU with Austal, a global leader in the aluminium vessel market. As we embark on the next phase of the Company's growth and development, we will partner with Austal not only to transfer technology to build aluminium vessels but also to join hands with them when bidding for contracts."
"Austal's skills and decades of experience in the aluminium build space are second to none. I look forward to working closely with them to build the next-generation shipyard capability for aluminium vessels in the UK."
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