Navantia UK Announces Investment Plan for Harland & Wolff: Northern Ireland – A new era has dawned for the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast as Navantia UK announced a significant investment plan following its recent acquisition of the company. The move promises to revitalize the historic shipyard, strengthen Britain’s defense, maritime, and clean energy industrial capabilities, and support jobs and economic growth across the United Kingdom.
Senior leadership from Navantia and its British subsidiary, Navantia UK, visited the Belfast shipyard on Tuesday, marking the commencement of a tour encompassing all four Harland & Wolff sites – Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. The visit signals Navantia’s commitment to understanding and investing in each location.
“Today marks the beginning of our shared journey. We are not just combining two companies; we are building a formidable team,” declared Ricardo Domínguez, Chairman of Navantia, speaking to the Belfast workforce.
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
H&W Belfast Shipyard Visit.
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A key element of the announcement was the resumption and expansion of the investment and recapitalization plan for Harland & Wolff. This plan, initially paused in recent months, is central to the Royal Navy‘s Fleet Solid Support (FSS) program, for which Navantia UK is the prime contractor. The investment will be distributed across all four sites, funding cutting-edge facilities, advanced technology, and comprehensive training programs. These improvements will be integrated into the UK’s broader industrial and defense ecosystem through a detailed business plan.
As part of the FSS program, Navantia UK will construct three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard will play a crucial role in the integration and delivery of these vessels.
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
Navantia team visiting H&W’s shipyard in Belfast.
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
The announcement has been met with widespread enthusiasm. Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy expressed his support, stating, “I will continue to work with the company to discuss future plans for the shipyard to scale up operations and ensure its long-term sustainability.”
Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Royal Navy Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, emphasized the significance of the investment for the shipbuilding industry. “The patience of so many during this process has been rewarded with a firm vote of confidence by the British Government in both the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s order pipeline and the Belfast workforce,” he said. “The Royal Navy is delighted that Navantia UK has entered the UK shipbuilding market with its acquisition of this iconic facility, which has built so many fine ships for the Royal Navy throughout its history.”
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
Harland & Wolff shipyard.
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mickey Murray, described the occasion as “momentous,” marking a new chapter for a Belfast landmark. “For generations, Harland & Wolff has been at the heart of Belfast’s identity, in the very skyline of our city by the famous Samson and Goliath cranes,” he noted. “This partnership with Navantia secures the future of Harland & Wolff, ensuring that it remains a cornerstone of Belfast’s industrial heritage and a strategically important employer for many years to come.”
Murray further highlighted the positive impact on employment, saying, “Not only does this deal protect skilled jobs, but it also creates new opportunities for the people of Belfast – from engineering and construction to design and innovation, strengthening the foundations of our local workforce.” He added that Navantia’s management emphasized that the FSS program is about more than just ship delivery; it’s about modernizing facilities and growing a skilled workforce to bolster UK defense and shipbuilding capabilities.
READ: Navantia UK Finalizes Acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Securing Over 1,000 Jobs
The integration of Harland & Wolff into Navantia’s operations creates a robust platform for delivering both sovereign defense capabilities and advancements in clean energy, aligning with the UK’s strategic priorities in national security and energy transition. Navantia’s expertise in knowledge and technology transfer will be instrumental in transforming the historic facilities into modern, competitive operations serving both defense and commercial sectors.
Navantia UK, the UK subsidiary of the Spanish company Navantia, said it was committed to working with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, offshore wind energy, and hydrogen. With a history spanning over 300 years, Navantia is a public technology company and a strategic asset for Spain’s defense. Its expertise ranges from shipbuilding (both surface and submarine vessels) to the design and integration of high-tech systems, lifecycle support, and other high-value-added services.
