Visit marked one year of progress, new investment and a growing
workforce.
Scottish Secretary visited Navantia UK's
Fife facility yesterday [10 February 2026] to mark the first
anniversary of the company's acquisition of Harland & Wolff's
four UK facilities.
The visit came as Navantia UK announced a further £12m+
investment in the Methil site, a new contract win, and continued
workforce growth.
During the visit, the Secretary of State met the workforce,
apprentices and Navantia UK's management team. Discussions
focused on yard's progress over the past twelve months and on how
Methil and Navantia UK can further support the Government's
defence and industrial ambitions. Mr Alexander was also able to
view first-hand the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) transport barge
under construction for the Ministry of Defence, which is now over
60% complete.
The new Navantia UK investment will support a dedicated skills
centre, modern machinery, infrastructure improvements and new
technology. This is in addition to the existing investment which
supported roof repairs, refurbished cranes, a new cutting
machine, a steel plate storage facility, and a self-propelled
modular transporter.
Mr Alexander said:
“The UK Government promised to secure the future of Methil and
Arnish yards, and now we are seeing the delivery of
that promise. With a busy order book, 120 new jobs and
20 new apprentices, the Methil yard is thriving. This is yet
another example of what's possible when the UK Government
and industry work together to back Scotland's industrial
heartlands.”
Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer of Navantia UK, said:
“We are proud to welcome the Secretary of State today and
to demonstrate our commitment to building the
resilient, world-class industrial capability the UK needs. The
case for strengthening the UK's sovereign industrial capability
has never been clearer. Russia's war in Ukraine, shifting
geopolitics, rising competition in the Indo-Pacific and renewed
focus on the High North are reshaping the global security
environment. These challenges require industrial capacity,
skilled people and sustained investment. This is
exactly what Navantia UK is building.”
Methil's workforce has grown from 180 to 230 since January 2025.
Following the recent award of a vessel build export contract –
won in competitive international tender against yards across
Western Europe and the USA – Navantia UK is now recruiting 120
additional people. Methil will also look to recruit 20
apprentices in 2026.
Since the acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Methil has been
operational and delivering projects, including the FSS barge, an
£8 million strategic investment by Navantia UK to transport ship
blocks between Appledore and Belfast as part of the nationally
important Fleet Solid Support programme. Yesterday's announcement
demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to the yard.
