Despite competition from other UK based ship recyclers, Swansea Drydocks has won the MOD competition to recycle the former HMS Cornwall, a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy.
The vessel was built in 1985 by Yarrow Shipbuilders in Glasgow, commissioned at Falmouth in 1988 and decommissioned in 2011 following a six-month deployment conducting counter-piracy operations east of Suez.
To win the contract, Swansea Drydocks was required to demonstrate their capabilities and resources; relevant experience and technical expertise; the mandatory permits, approvals and licences and those of its subcontractors; the competence to deliver a safe and environmentally sound ship recycling service and the ability to maximise the financial return from the ship’s metals, materials and equipment whilst minimising waste to landfill.
‘Developing Swansea Drydocks into a world class ship repair and recycling facility has been a huge challenge. It’s taken us several years of hard work and significant investment to be in a position to win this tender.’ explained Karl Dunn, MD. ‘As a result, we are beginning to achieve the goals we set for the business and we anticipate substantial growth over the next few years.’
HMS Cornwall is currently berthed at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth and is anticipated to be towed to Swansea Drydocks during the autumn.
[mappress] Press Release, September 04, 2013; Image: Navy