Kier BAM Joint Venture appointed by Babcock International Group to support delivery of Devonport Royal Dockyard 10 Dock Refurbishment Project

The appointment follows a previous announcement by Babcock of a series of major infrastructure projects at Devonport where over the next 10 years state of-the-art facilities will be developed to meet the evolving requirements of the UK’s Royal Navy.

KBJV has been competitively awarded the NEC4 Framework contract for the Main Works Civils scope on the 10 Dock Project. This is a Framework which provides contractual flexibility to award multiple call-off contracts to utilise construction experience under the Framework umbrella.

The project includes the redevelopment of a dry dock for nuclear submarines alongside the demolition of existing buildings and construction of new ones to support the Royal Navy’s submarine maintenance programme.

The scope includes all mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation technology within the new dock building, a new dividing headwall within the dock, ground anchors, new service subways to support submarines in their dry dock positions.

The Devonport Royal Dockyard has been supporting the Royal Navy for more than 300 years since 1691 and is the largest naval base in Western Europe. The vast site covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins.

Mark Pengelly, Group managing director at Kier Infrastructure, said: ‘We’re pleased to have been appointed by Babcock International Group to deliver the next phase of critical infrastructure works at 10 Dock, helping to ensure that the port meets the future needs of the Royal Navy. Together with our joint venture partners, we have a long-established track record of delivering projects at Devonport Royal Dockyard and across the wider South West region, including at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. We look forward to continuing to share our combined expertise, knowledge and resources to complete another project to the highest of standards. The project will provide a boost to the community by creating jobs across the region, investing in local businesses and supporting young people at the start of their careers.’

Richard Prime, Managing Director - Major Projects at BAM Nuttall, said: ‘We’re excited to have been chosen to deliver this project with our long-standing joint venture partners. We have proven that our integrated approach and combined experience allows us to deliver efficiently and predictably. This is a fantastic opportunity to provide value to the community through job creation and deliver a number of sustainable solutions which make what we deliver future-proof.’

John Oliver, Strategic Infrastructure Director at Babcock International Group, said: ‘The regeneration of maritime infrastructure at Devonport is being delivered by a specially selected and highly-experienced group of partners and we’re delighted to welcome Kier BAM to the programme. Along with our MOD customer, we have a one team ethos and are all committed to working together to develop first–class facilities that will continue to support Royal Navy operations for decades to come.’

Kier BAM have committed to delivering social value by employing local people including those classified as not in employment, education or training, providing apprenticeships, investing in a locally based supply chain and partnering with local schools and colleges to provide mentoring and work experience to young people.

A sustainable approach to delivery will also include focus on lean design, low carbon fuels, use of low carbon concrete, logistics optimisation and material re-use.