Liverpool’s MST wins share of £111m MoD contracts

A LIVERPOOL manufacturer and marine support company has won a share of  £111m worth of contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence.

Marine Specialised Tech, based at Brunswick Business Park, is one of six firms which will maintain the MoD’s fleet of small boats.

The five year contract will involve support for a fleet of 1,450 boats used by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and MoD Police, including offshore raiding craft, pontoons up to 50 metres in length, police launches and Pacific 24 Ribs and inflatables.

MST, which has arouund 100 staff and had annual sales in 2013 of £14.4m,  will provide maintenance, upkeep, repair, chartering, defect rectification, technical support, provision of spares and replacements for the fleet.

Alan Ashton, managing director of fleet services at MST said: “This is wonderful news for MST and the marine sector in Liverpool. At MST we work hard to ensure our fleet services division provides an excellent after sales service, top class ongoing support and supply of parts that is second-to-none.

“The new MoD contract is recognition of our continuing commitment to excellence in every area of operation. We want every craft we maintain to perform at 100%, essential in the challenging conditions in which they are engaged.”

Minister for Defence, equipment support and technology, Philip Dunne, added: “The award of these contracts by the MoD provides the UK’s marine support industry with a steady volume of work, helping to maintain technical and engineering skills in this sector.

“The competition attracted interest from across the marine industry, and is another example of the MoD’s commitment to seek best value for money from the commercial market.”

Small boats make up a vital part of the UK’s military capability, from policing the UK’s naval bases to counter-piracy operations off Africa, to training new recruits in the Royal Navy.