Following a rigorous international selection process, the Port of Milford Haven has commissioned Next Generation Shipyards from The Netherlands to build a new 22m pilot boat to supplement its existing fleet.  The contract marks the first stage of a long-term, multi-million pound investment programme that aims to enhance the Port’s pilotage capability and deliver world class pilotage operations at the UK’s leading energy port.

Next Generation Shipyards (NG Shipyards) has extensive experience in building highly sophisticated pilot vessels and crew transfer vessels vessels, both from its own designs and from the designs of others.  The vessel selected by the Port of Milford Haven will be designed by Camarc Design Ltd which specialises in the design of innovative, all-weather, high-speed working craft.

Safety is the Port’s highest priority, so a rigorous assessment of the international market was undertaken as part of the procurement process, as well as collaboration with other ports and harbours that undertake similar operations.  Key features of the new pilot vessel include: a double chine hull, self-righting design which comes with a proven track record of operating safely and efficiently in heavy weather conditions; and an ergonomically designed wheelhouse and crew facilities, which will provide the highest safety and operational standards in the industry.

With sustainability also high on the Port’s agenda, whilst it will have the ability to operate at speeds of more than 25 knots fully loaded, the vessel will incorporate waterjet propulsion and an IMO tier 3 rated engine and exhaust package to help reduce and control emissions.  And, as part of its decarbonisation pathway, the Port is actively exploring alternative fuel solutions which would dramatically reduce emissions as we seek to reach Net Zero well ahead of 2050.

Commenting on the new pilot boat contract, Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven said:

“Around twenty percent of the UK’s energy needs are handled or processed by the energy facilities within the Port of Milford Haven which means our ability to move ships in and out of the port in a safe, reliable, and timely manner, with proper regard to the environment is vital; not only to our business, but to the resilience and security of UK energy.

“This significant investment in a new pilot vessel will ensure that our highly skilled teams, who operate in some of the most challenging sea conditions anywhere in the world, can continue to deliver a safe, resilient, year-round service to our customers.”

Steven Bonder, Project Manager at Next Generation Shipyards added:

“We are really proud that the contract is signed to develop and build the new pilot vessel for the Port of Milford Haven. Together with Camarc Design we are confident to build the best pilot vessel for the Port of Milford Haven. After the extensive procurement procedure we are looking forward to start the engineering and design phase and to start the build of the pilot boat next year.”

The new pilot transfer vessel is expected to be in service in 2025 and further investments in the Port’s fleet will be made over the next few years.

More information on the Port of Milford Haven’s activities can be found here: www.mhpa.co.uk.

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Photo caption: L to R - Steven Bonder (NGS), Jamie Furlong (MHPA), Albert Keizer, Dirk Keizer (NGS), Ian Shipperly, Chris Martin, Tom Sawyer, Gareth Phillips (MHPA), Steven Lee (BMT), Mike Ryan, Luke Mason (MHPA).

Notes to Editors

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites. 

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives. 

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:

Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk 

Next Generation Shipyards

Next Generation Shipyards builds, repairs and maintains a variety of specialistic commercial work boats up to a length of approximately 35 metres.

You can think of Pilot Vessels, CTV’s for the wind park industry, Research Vessels, Hydrographic Survey Ships and Harbour Support and Patrol Vessels.

The yard located at the North coast of the Netherlands. The workforce is appr. 70 employees. Yard facility is 19.000 m2 with 5 building halls and a ship lift with a capacity of 240 tons.

The organisation is focused on the highest level of technical solutions and sustainability.

Dirk Keizer
Next Generation Shipyards
0031 6 51901152
D.keizer@ngshipyards.com