Defence Online

Moving Forth across the Clyde in Glasgow

Maritime September 12, 2016

The Forth is the first complex warship to be built at Glasgow since the last Type 45, HMS Duncan. She has successfully completed the journey from BAE Systems’ shipyard at Govan on the Clyde and is now safely docked at the company’s Scotstoun facility where she will complete final systems installation and testing.

Forth, the first of the new River Class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), entered the water for the first time on 13th August and her arrival at Scotstoun is the latest step in a modernised approach to ship-building at Glasgow that uses the latest technologies and processes. The first plate of steel for Forth was delivered to Glasgow in October 2014 and progressed down the production line soon after, with the ship structurally complete just 18 months later.

The new process to transfer Forth across the Clyde began with a single remote control and 160 wheels driving the 1,600 tonne Forth from inside the ship-build hall at Govan to the dock side at a careful half a mile per hour. Forth, with a weight comparable to 120 London buses, then made a short journey towards the waiting barge before setting sail for Scotstoun via the King George V dock. She is now safely at Scotstoun with the installation of the complex combat systems already underway, prior to handover to the Royal Navy in the first half of 2017.

Iain Stevenson, Managing Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “For Forth to enter the water less than two years after construction started is hugely significant and sets the tone for the future of modern warship building. She is the first complex warship to benefit from the new technologies and methods that we are introducing to further bolster our ability to be the best supplier to the Royal Navy. Forth has already benefited from a safer and more efficient build process that enabled much of the work to take place under cover, and as a result she leaves our Govan facility at a much higher rate of completion.

“We’re building on the proud heritage of British shipbuilding here in Glasgow and looking to the future. Not only does this mean we are creating valuable additions to the Royal Navy’s fleet but we are ensuring that shipbuilding skills and expertise are maintained and developed in the UK.”

Image Credit: John Linton/BAE Systems

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BAE Systems Clyde Glasgow Govan HMS Duncan Iain Stevenson Managing Director Naval Ships OPVs River Class offshore patrol vessels Royal Navy Scotstoun shop building

Post written by: Domhnall MacInnes

I am a features writer for MOD DCB magazine and Defence Online and a Content Marketing Executive with BiP Solutions.