Menu
12/10/2015
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named.
Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
The decision follows a 12-month competitive tender process that involved bids from companies in the UK, Europe and the Far East.
The shipyard is expected to cut steel in autumn 2016 and deliver the next-generation polar research vessel, ready for operation, by 2019.
The new polar research ship will operate in both Antarctica and the Arctic and will be able to endure up to 60 days in sea-ice to enable scientists to gather more observations and data. It will also be the first British-built polar research vessel with a heli-deck, opening up new locations for science.
Robotic submarines and marine gliders will collect data on ocean conditions and marine biology, before delivering it to scientists working in the ship's on-board laboratories. Airborne robots and on-board environmental monitoring systems will provide detailed information on the surrounding polar environment.
The ship will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and will be made available to the whole UK research community, including for postgraduate training.
Commenting on the appointment, Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: "As a one nation government we are investing in science capital on a record scale. This £200 million investment secures the UK's position as a world leader in polar research and provides a major boost to shipbuilding in the North West.
"Britain has long been a pioneer in ocean science, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Cammell Laird's success in this competition is testament to this expertise and our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries in marine science."
Chancellor George Osborne added: "In last year's Budget I committed £200 million to help put Britain at the forefront of polar research, and I'm delighted to see the preferred bidder is a UK company in the heart of our Northern Powerhouse. This will help secure vital jobs and apprenticeships in the North West and also make sure Britain stays at the cutting edge of polar research."
John Syvret, Cammell Laird Chief Executive, commented: "The new contract, which will be finalised later this year, is expected to secure 400 jobs at Cammell Laird and a further 100 jobs within the local supply chain.
"Cammell Laird has a very successful apprenticeship scheme and would plan to recruit 60 apprentices throughout the term of the contract. Being selected as the preferred bidder in a global tender to undertake such an exciting and major infrastructure project is fantastic news for our workforce, the local region and the UK."
(JP)
Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
The decision follows a 12-month competitive tender process that involved bids from companies in the UK, Europe and the Far East.
The shipyard is expected to cut steel in autumn 2016 and deliver the next-generation polar research vessel, ready for operation, by 2019.
The new polar research ship will operate in both Antarctica and the Arctic and will be able to endure up to 60 days in sea-ice to enable scientists to gather more observations and data. It will also be the first British-built polar research vessel with a heli-deck, opening up new locations for science.
Robotic submarines and marine gliders will collect data on ocean conditions and marine biology, before delivering it to scientists working in the ship's on-board laboratories. Airborne robots and on-board environmental monitoring systems will provide detailed information on the surrounding polar environment.
The ship will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and will be made available to the whole UK research community, including for postgraduate training.
Commenting on the appointment, Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: "As a one nation government we are investing in science capital on a record scale. This £200 million investment secures the UK's position as a world leader in polar research and provides a major boost to shipbuilding in the North West.
"Britain has long been a pioneer in ocean science, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Cammell Laird's success in this competition is testament to this expertise and our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries in marine science."
Chancellor George Osborne added: "In last year's Budget I committed £200 million to help put Britain at the forefront of polar research, and I'm delighted to see the preferred bidder is a UK company in the heart of our Northern Powerhouse. This will help secure vital jobs and apprenticeships in the North West and also make sure Britain stays at the cutting edge of polar research."
John Syvret, Cammell Laird Chief Executive, commented: "The new contract, which will be finalised later this year, is expected to secure 400 jobs at Cammell Laird and a further 100 jobs within the local supply chain.
"Cammell Laird has a very successful apprenticeship scheme and would plan to recruit 60 apprentices throughout the term of the contract. Being selected as the preferred bidder in a global tender to undertake such an exciting and major infrastructure project is fantastic news for our workforce, the local region and the UK."
(JP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 May 2015
Calls To Lower Drink-Drive Limit In England
The Police Federation has said the drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be lowered. The organisation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, wants the limit cut from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Calls To Lower Drink-Drive Limit In England
The Police Federation has said the drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be lowered. The organisation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, wants the limit cut from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
12 November 2013
Breastfeeding Incentive Pilot Scheme Launched
Shopping vouchers worth up to £200 are to be offered to new mothers as an incentive to breastfeed. A pilot scheme, funded in collaboration by the government and the medical research sector, will be launched in "deprived areas" of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
Breastfeeding Incentive Pilot Scheme Launched
Shopping vouchers worth up to £200 are to be offered to new mothers as an incentive to breastfeed. A pilot scheme, funded in collaboration by the government and the medical research sector, will be launched in "deprived areas" of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
02 May 2012
Consumer Focus Research Shows CPA Confusion
New Consumer Focus research shows that banks' customer service advisers are unclear of the rules around Continuous Payment Authorities (CPA) and could be giving customers incorrect advice as a result.
Consumer Focus Research Shows CPA Confusion
New Consumer Focus research shows that banks' customer service advisers are unclear of the rules around Continuous Payment Authorities (CPA) and could be giving customers incorrect advice as a result.
07 December 2011
Almost Half Of Cancers 'Due To Lifestyle'
A major cancer research group has announced on Wednesday that changing our lifestyle can prevent 40% of all cancers. Cancer Research UK said that more than 100,000 cancers – equivalent to one third of all those diagnosed in the UK each year – were being caused by smoking, unhealthy diets, alcohol and excess weight, alone.
Almost Half Of Cancers 'Due To Lifestyle'
A major cancer research group has announced on Wednesday that changing our lifestyle can prevent 40% of all cancers. Cancer Research UK said that more than 100,000 cancers – equivalent to one third of all those diagnosed in the UK each year – were being caused by smoking, unhealthy diets, alcohol and excess weight, alone.
01 November 2011
Government Launch 'Pink' Campaign
Women cabinet ministers have announced they are uniting with fellow female MPs to 'wear it pink' and raise awareness of breast cancer. Conservative Party Co-Chairman Sayeeda Warsi was joined by Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and Transport Secretary Justine Greening to highlight the campaign and raise awareness for Britain's most common cancer.
Government Launch 'Pink' Campaign
Women cabinet ministers have announced they are uniting with fellow female MPs to 'wear it pink' and raise awareness of breast cancer. Conservative Party Co-Chairman Sayeeda Warsi was joined by Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and Transport Secretary Justine Greening to highlight the campaign and raise awareness for Britain's most common cancer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
