Serco has been awarded three contracts with a combined value of over $2 billion by the UK Ministry of Defence to provide maritime services for the Royal Navy. The contracts, which replace existing services and expand into new capabilities, will start later this year.
“We are proud to have been awarded these three contracts and to have the privilege of continuing to provide critical operational services to the Royal Navy. These awards further strengthen our position in the defence market, where we provide deep expertise around the world," Serco Group Chief Executive, Anthony Kirby, stated.
Serco has been partnering with the Royal Navy for nearly 30 years, providing services supporting military training exercises, trialling new maritime technology and assisting the movements of Royal Navy ships in and out of harbour.
“We have been performing these duties to an extremely high standard for the last 28 years and we now have the opportunity to modernise the fleet of support vessels to ensure that the Navy has the support it requires, day in, day out, to enable it to keep our waters safe," Kirby said.
The three awarded contracts are:
- A contract valued at $1.7 billion over ten years for the delivery of in-port services for HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, HMNB Portsmouth and for the Clyde, including HMNB Faslane. This will include the procurement of 24 new vessels on behalf of the Royal Navy which will be brought into service over the next decade to modernise the fleet and replace the older vessels currently operated. Services will include vessel towage, passenger transfer, and barge and tank cleaning services at Portsmouth and Devonport.
- A contract valued at $145 million over five years for the provision of inshore support to military training and exercises at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation (BUTEC), an underwater military test and evaluation range off the northwest coast of Scotland and for Diver Training Support. In addition, the contract consists of new work for Range Safety and Aircrew Training, which Serco will deliver in partnership with Briggs Marine.
- A ten-year contract valued at $228 million for the provision of offshore support to military training and exercises. The service includes two specialist ocean-going vessels for regional and worldwide support.