The Portsmouth-based naval support company, Fleet Support Limited (FSL) is to start discussions with the MOD and its major competitors on the formation of a Surface Ship Support Alliance for the Royal Navy.

This innovative development was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, in Parliament on February 14. Discussions are to commence immediately and will involve the Ministry of Defence, FSL, Babcock Ship Support Limited (BSSL) in Rosyth and Devonport Management Limited (DML) in Plymouth.

This approach will bring a jointly agreed stable and predictable workload for all three dockyards.  This will enable the one-time competitors to share ‘best practice’ and provide the Royal Navy with a sustainable and ‘value for money’ UK ship maintenance and support service for its warships.

The development of the Alliance will entail detailed and complex discussions and it is not expected to result in a contractual agreement until mid-2007.  The first step towards the alliance begins immediately with discussions between the parties on a sensible, cost effective distribution of work for the next five warship upkeep projects that are due to start in the autumn.

FSL Managing Director Ian Booth commented: “The Alliance has our wholehearted support. A predictable, stable workload will be the foundation on which to build the skills and capabilities for cost effective support of the T45 Destroyers and the new aircraft carriers that will be based in Portsmouth Naval Base.”