British businesses will be given a new global platform to promote
their products through a new national flagship announced by the
Prime Minister today.
The ship, the first of its kind to be built and commissioned by
the UK, will boost British trade and drive investment into our
economy. The vessel will be used to host high level trade
negotiations and trade shows and will sail all over the world
promoting British interests.
A typical six month itinerary for the flagship might include
docking at a port in a country where a British Prime Ministerial
visit is taking place to accommodate parallel discussions between
British and local businesses, hosting trade fairs to sell British
products to an emerging market and providing the venue for an
international ministerial summit or major trade negotiations
between the UK and another government.
The ship, the name of which will be announced in due course, will
be the first national flagship since 1997 when the HMY Britannia
was decommissioned. However, its role will be distinct from that
of any previous national flagship, reflecting the UK’s new status
as an independent trading nation and helping us to seize the
opportunities that status presents.
As well as being a resource for British firms looking to export
globally, the ship will also be a tangible manifestation of
British ingenuity and shipbuilding expertise. The Government’s
intention is to build the ship in the UK. This will create jobs,
help drive a renaissance in the UK’s shipbuilding industry and
showcase the best of British engineering around the world.
The Prime Minister said:
“This new national flagship will be the first vessel of
its kind in the world, reflecting the UK’s burgeoning status as a
great, independent maritime trading nation.
“Every aspect of the ship, from its build to the
businesses it showcases on board, will represent and promote the
best of British – a clear and powerful symbol of our commitment
to be an active player on the world stage.”
As well as promoting trade, it is expected that the flagship will
play an important role in achieving the UK’s foreign policy and
security objectives, including by hosting summits and other
diplomatic talks.
Construction of the ship is expected to begin as soon as next
year and the ship will enter service within the next four years.
The tendering process for the design and construction of the ship
will launch shortly, with an emphasis on building a vessel which
reflects British design expertise and the latest innovations in
green technology.
The ship will be crewed by the Royal Navy and is expected to be
in service for around 30 years.
Costs for the construction and operation of the ship will be
confirmed following the completion of a competitive tendering
process.
