Belfast’s Titanic-building company has declared insolvency, putting 50 to 60 jobs at risk.
Harland & Wolff is about to appoint an administrator. The company, known for its iconic cranes in Belfast docks as Samson and Goliath, has announced that it will be appointing administrators.
The majority of the job losses will occur in London, but staff at its four shipyards are not affected. H&W has four locations: Belfast, Methil, Arnish, and Appledore, in north Devon.
The shipbuilding firm has been in administration twice within the last five years. InfraStrata bought it out of administration in 2019. This small energy company with no experience in marine engineering purchased the shipbuilding firm in 2019.
Matt Roberts, GMB’s national officer, stated that the announcement may cause “chaos” in families due to corporate mismanagement and chronic failures of industrial strategy.
The union is calling on the government to step in to protect the company, and to ensure that it can fulfill important contracts like the Fleet Solid Support Project. This contract involves the delivery of three support vessels for the Royal Navy.
Roberts said: “All four Harland & Wolff yard are required for our future sovereignty capabilities in sectors such as renewables and shipbuilding.
The government must act now to ensure that private companies cannot cherry-pick which parts they want to keep, or choose which yards or contracts to save.
It is unacceptable to leave these important yards, and the FSS contract that contains all the promises made for UK shipbuilding, at the mercy of the marketplace. The government needs to provide oversight and support to help the market reach the solution that we need.
The announcement by the government, according to a spokesperson for the government, will not affect key contracts or shipyard jobs.
They stated: “We continue to work with all parties in order to find a solution for Harland & Wolff which delivers shipbuilding and manufacture in Belfast, Scotland and throughout the rest of the UK while protecting jobs.”
The company reported that after a review began in July of the group’s holdings, financial advisers had been appointed to identify potential investors. “A number of parties” showed interest in “some of or all” the group activities.
H&W employs approximately 1,500 people in its various operations.
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