Harland & Wolff, the iconic Belfast shipyard made famous by the Titanic, has been saved from collapse after securing a deal with Spain’s state-owned shipbuilder Navantia. The agreement, reached since October, will save around 1,000 jobs at the yard in Belfast and secure facilities in Scotland and England.
UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed the deal as “good for jobs” and “good for national security”, while Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson welcomed it as a major confidence boost for the UK. Unite union representative George Brash noted that while the deal is positive, “the devil will be in the detail”.
The deal marks a significant turn for Harland & Wolff, which has faced financial woes and declining fortunes since its Norwegian owners withdrew support in 2019. The company was later sold to InfraStrata, a small energy firm with limited experience in marine engineering.
Navantia, a significant recipient of European Commission funding, is set to join the UK-EU security reset discussions early next year. The deal also includes Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Scotland and England, which will benefit from job security guarantees.
For those living in east Belfast, where the shipyard is located, the takeover is seen as a welcome respite from uncertainty. Local resident Anne Higgins recalled her family members working at the yard and said it “means everything to this side of the city”.
The deal provides a fresh start for Harland & Wolff, which has struggled since its financial troubles began in 2019. With Navantia’s established expertise and financial backing, the shipyard is poised for growth and renewal.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9g2r9dn0vo