The United Kingdom’s decision to build a £2.4 billion fleet of amphibious transport ships for the Royal Navy and the Dutch Navy has positioned British shipyards as key contenders for the construction work. Balaena, the owner of the A&P shipyard in Hebburn on Tyneside, has expressed readiness to participate in the delivery of the eight vessels agreed upon during a NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month.
The programme will see the development of four amphibious transport ships for each navy, designed to carry troops, vehicles, and equipment, including drones. Each vessel is expected to measure approximately 160 metres in length and displace around 15,000 tonnes. Features will include flight decks capable of operating current and future long-range drones and autonomous systems. The construction process may involve a “block construction” method, where different shipyards manufacture sections before final assembly.
Balaena, which employs roughly 230 people at the Hebburn yard following its acquisition of the A&P Group earlier this summer, highlighted its capacity and experience in warship building. The company also operates facilities in Birkenhead and the North East of England, which it says have both the industrial capability and scale needed for complex naval projects. Balaena’s CEO, Simon Gillett, pointed to the company’s recent involvement in producing structural components for the Type 26 frigate programme, as well as work on the Sovereign defence platforms and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Commercial shipbuilding is also part of Balaena’s portfolio, with three ferries scheduled for delivery in 2026.
Aside from Balaena, Belfast-based shipbuilder Harland & Wolff has also expressed interest in contributing to the project, proposing an investment exceeding £98 million.
The agreement was formalised by outgoing UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during the NATO meeting in Ankara earlier this month. Sir Keir emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, framing it as a means to enhance long-term security for both countries and to maintain a technological edge over emerging threats. He highlighted the collaboration between UK industrial expertise and Dutch naval design experience as a way to produce advanced platforms for amphibious forces, underscoring the commitment to supporting British shipyards and sustaining employment within the sector.
The joint effort reflects broader NATO objectives to strengthen alliance capabilities and showcases the UK shipbuilding industry's role in delivering major defence projects. The amphibious transport ships will mark a significant addition to the fleets of both nations, supporting expeditionary and autonomous naval operations in the years ahead.