The 169 acre shipyard at Barrow at Barrow has a proven capability as a ‘world class’ design, fabrication, build, test and commissioning facility for large warships and nuclear powered submarines, with some of Europe’s largest indoor modular shipbuilding facilities, and a workforce of over 3,600 people. Below, you can see the layout of the shipyard in facilities such as Devonshire Dock Hall and the new assembly shop. The huge Devonshire Dock Hall (DDH) covered shipbuilding hall, shiplift, superberth and a large fitted out ship module of over 2,000 tonnes emerging from its build hall.
The ‘Asset family’ at Barrow Shipyard includes:
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Specialist support barges such as the 90m long SD01 |
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Large buildings including specialist new assembly shop fabrication facilities |
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Heavy lift cranes (150t, 40t) |
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Extensive docks including 400m big Buccleuch Dock quay |
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Specialised equipment |
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The Superberth |
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Strict security |
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Power and substations |
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Support facilities |
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Design offices |
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Specialist trials and test facilities |
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An air link using Walney airport, owned by BAE SYSTEMS |
Figure 2 shows how the assets at Barrow can support two of the largest naval ship programmes:
Figure 2 Barrow Shipbuilding Assets suitability for CVF/MARS build
| Key Process Steps |
Barrow Facility |
Capacity/capability |
CVF
Programme |
MARS
Programme |
Notes |
| Design/Engineering |
Design Office (A45) |
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Yes |
Yes |
Good unique design resource exists |
| Plate preparation and assembly |
New Assembly Shop |
Cutting and fabrication of plates |
Yes |
Yes |
Would need to invest in new plate line |
| Unit construction |
New Assembly Shop |
Steel fabrication |
Yes |
Yes |
Good facilities |
| Block construction |
DDH |
Largest Block 3 -4000T |
Yes |
Yes |
Would need to consider capacity with Astute |
| Assembly and outfit |
Superberth |
100m wide 2* 20cT ships |
Super-block construction |
Yes |
For CVF super-blocks not ideal as sloping |
| Final Outfit |
Buccleuch Dock |
2 ships max. width 30m |
No |
Yes |
MARS only. CVF too large for dock system |
| Test and Commission |
Buccleuch Dock |
2 ships max. width 30m |
No |
Yes |
MARS only. CVF too large for dock system |
(Source: PAManagement Consultants, 2004)
