A major consolidation in UK shipbuilding has seen some of the most renowned names in the industry change hands. Maritime group Balaena, based in Cornwall, has acquired APCL Group in a deal that establishes a dominant player in the ship repair and refitting sectors.
Acquisition Details
The purchase includes the A&P yard on the River Tyne at Hebburn, Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on Merseyside, and A&P Falmouth along with Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company in Cornwall. Balaena already operates facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow, Cornwall.
The transaction, which has received a warm welcome from trade unions, gives Balaena a network of 12 dry docks and strategic coverage across the UK and the Mediterranean. The company stated it would be able to enhance its role in the UK defence sector, especially after Defence Secretary John Healy recently signalled a desire to allocate more Ministry of Defence work to British firms.
Sector Expansion
Beyond defence, Balaena aims to work in the offshore energy, cargo, cruise, and ferry markets. Plans include modernising facilities at A&P, Cammell Laird, and Falmouth, as well as launching a new skills and apprenticeship programme in partnership with local colleges and training providers.
Simon Gillett, founder and group chief executive officer of Balaena, said: "We are delighted to welcome APCL Group into Balaena. This acquisition reinforces our long-term commitment to British maritime capability - creating jobs, expanding apprenticeships, and driving innovation in line with the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review and the UK's Industrial Strategy."
"By uniting Balaena's vision and ambition with APCL's skilled teams in Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, we are strengthening the UK's ability to deliver for both the Royal Navy and the global commercial maritime sector, while investing in the next generation of British shipbuilders and engineers," he added.
Leadership Comments
David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group, said: "Joining Balaena marks an exciting new chapter for APCL and our workforce. It secures the future of our shipyards, allows new investment in digital and green shipbuilding technologies, and renews our commitment to working closely with local communities on Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth to create jobs, apprenticeships, and lasting prosperity."
The deal brings together a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Hebburn, Birkenhead, and Falmouth. It also preserves some of the most historic names in UK shipbuilding, with Cammell Laird tracing its roots back to the early 19th century and A&P operating since the 1970s.
Union Support
Matt Roberts, GMB national officer and president of the Confederation of Shipbuilding & Engineering Unions (CSEU), said: "This deal gives certainty after months of speculation and allows our members and the yards at Cammell Laird, A&P Falmouth and A&P Tyne to move forward together. GMB has been clear our members want a solution that kept the three yards together as a strong and complimentary group, so we welcome this deal. There is great capability and delivery across these yards."
"We look forward to working with the new owners to ensure we continue to grow UK sovereign capability and increase local jobs and apprenticeships in Merseyside, west Cornwall, and on Tyneside," he continued.
Roberts also called for an end to sending British shipbuilding and repair work overseas, urging the Labour Government to ensure all domestic work goes to UK shipyards, including those now owned by Balaena.
