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Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead has a new owner after maritime engineering company Balaena completed its acquisition of APCL Group.
The deal, confirmed on Wednesday 10th June, brings together APCL's shipyards – including Cammell Laird, A&P Tyne and A&P Falmouth – with Balaena's existing facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow, Cornwall. The combined group now operates 12 dry docks.
Balaena has described the takeover as 'significant' and says it plans to invest in modernising APCL's facilities while increasing capacity for ship repair, offshore fabrication and low-emission propulsion systems.
The company will also launch a national skills and apprenticeship programme in partnership with local colleges and maritime training bodies, aiming to 'develop Britain's next generation of maritime professionals'.
Simon Gillett, founder and group chief executive of Balaena, said: "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."
David McGinley, chief executive 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 combined Balaena group now has a workforce of more than 2,000 people across its five locations. A key part of its offering will be commercial ship repair and refit services for clients in the offshore energy, cargo, cruise and ferry sectors.
Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer and President of the Confederation of Shipbuilding & Engineering Unions, welcomed the deal. He 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."
Roberts added that GMB continues to call for an end to British shipbuilding work being sent overseas, urging the Labour Government to ensure all domestic work goes to UK shipyards.
