Labour’s First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, has announced a new research ship, funded by the Labour Government, that will create jobs and help protect the nation’s climate, energy and food security.
The Government has committed up to £115 million to build this new vessel as part of its drive to reindustrialise the UK and support our shipyards, such as HMNB Portsmouth.
This vessel will lead a new national system for monitoring the UK’s seas, bringing together marine surveys, data and technology to help manage fisheries and the marine environment more effectively.
At 85 metres long and able to accommodate more than 40 people, the vessel will carry out a wide range of scientific work. This includes assessing fish stocks, mapping the seabed, monitoring pollution, and responding quickly to marine incidents.
It will use the latest technology, including automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, and will run on clean fuels, helping position the UK as a global leader in marine science while reducing environmental impact.
The UK’s seas contributed more than £200 billion to the economy in 2021. This investment reflects how important the marine environment is to the UK’s economy, security and long-term resilience. The vessel will replace the RV Cefas Endeavour, which has supported UK marine science since 2003 and is due to retire in the early 2030s.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“By backing shipyards across the UK, Labour is supporting jobs and delivering new cutting-edge tools that will help us understand and protect our seas. This new British-made research ship will safeguard our climate, energy and food security for the future.”
“The Secretary of State’s announcement not only continues this Government’s commitment to reindustrialising our city but also acknowledges the UK’s world-leading ship building capabilities and history, which Portsmouth has previously been a proud part of.
“We are using the power of public procurement to help bring back hope and deliver the jobs, skills and training that are the foundations of good growth.”
The vessel is expected to be operational in 2031 or 2032, continuing over 125-years of world-leading UK marine research. Delivery will be led by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), which has laboratories in Lowestoft and Weymouth.
The Government expects to engage with the UK shipbuilding sector in the coming months to plan the next stage of the procurement process. The vessel’s design will reflect the specialist scientific needs of the mission.
