Shipyard alliance

[jimmy]

Shipyard alliance for tanker bid

The six tankers would be used to refuel Royal Navy ships at sea
The former Cammell Laird shipyard is to form a partnership with an Italian ship repairer in a bid to build six Royal Fleet Auxilary tanker ships.

Fincantieri announced its alliance with Birkenhead's Northwestern Shiprepairers Ltd (NSL). The move is hoped to boost a bid for the contract.

The Italian company is one of three shortlisted to build the tankers which would refuel Royal Navy ships at sea.

NSL is one of Europe's leading ship and military refit specialists.

It recently won a ?180m contract to maintain 16 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.

'Proud history'

The contract for the new fleet of tankers will be tendered out by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Alberto Maestrini, executive senior vice president of Fincantieri, said: "The alliance provides Fincantieri with a strong professional ally strategically based in the UK.

"This is a case of combining the talents of Europe's largest shipbuilder with NSL who have an enviable track record of serving UK MOD in the support of the RFA fleet."

Fincantieri is one of the largest shipbuilders in Italy with eight shipyards and 9,400 workers.

NSL managing director John Syvert said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to reinforce Fincantieri's bid with expertise from a British shipyard that has a proud history of delivering some of the Royal Navy's finest vessels."

[wsteve55]

I can't remember names,details,etc, but I hope this Italian company has no connection, with the one that caused Laird's to bite the dust!?

[Waterways]

I can't remember names,details,etc, but I hope this Italian company has no connection, with the one that caused Laird's to bite the dust!?

That was a cruise liner company and was taken over by an American concern. The ship was on its way to the Mersey and was called back around the Bay of Biscay. The new owners had a change of plan at the last minute not wanting to spend to lengthen the ship. They must have seen a flaw in the contract.

They gave excuses that the quality of the extension was poor - which was bunkum, as Lairds have built some of the finest vessels in the world over history.

[irishseashipping.com]

They gave excuses that the quality of the extension was poor - which was bunkum, as Lairds have built some of the finest vessels in the world over history.

The Italian company concerned was Costa Crociere which became fully owned by the American Carnival Corporation whilst the Costa Classica mid section was being constructed

I always find it quite strange that the local press have hyped up visits by the QE2 in the past and will undoubtedly hype up the QUEEN MARY 2 call next year as Cunard is, like Costa Crociere just a brand within the large Carnival Corporation.

The very company which nearly sank the Birkenhead yard.

John

[wsteve55]

Probably, because the "ECHO" dont know! I've got the impression recently,that some of the writers/reporters,aren't that well up on things Liverpool:disgust: