National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh - Building on the UK’s naval capability to the commercial shipbuilding industry
First published in 2017, the National Shipbuilding Strategy, published by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) set out a vision to further increase the UK’s competitiveness as an innovative naval shipbuilding nation.
Fast forward to 2022, and the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh broadens the scope to the entirety of the shipbuilding sector to include the design; build; integration; test and evaluation; repair; refit; conversion; and support of warships; commercial vessels; workboats; leisure vessels; systems and sub-systems.
The Refresh will be delivered by the newly formed National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) with key aims to promote green technology, increase productivity, ensure the UK has a pipeline of skilled workers, outline a regulatory framework for autonomous operations and increase exports.
A total package of over £4 billion of government investment will be made available to achieve these aims including the £206m investment in UK SHORE. Leveraging the UK’s naval expertise across to the commercial shipbuilding sector will help expand a £2.8 billion industry currently supporting 42,600 jobs making the UK more competitive in all aspects of shipbuilding.