Cape joint venture in line for £70m navy contract

SUPPORT services company Cape said today a joint venture in which it has a 50% stake has been named as a preferred bidder for a contract with the Royal Navy to build aircraft carriers.

Ship Support Services has been named preferred bidder, by BVT Surface Fleet (a merger of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions and VT Shipbuilding), for the access and specialist coatings of two aircraft carriers valued in excess of £3bn.

Wakefield-based Cape supplies scaffolding, insulation, fire protection and cleaning services to the energy and natural resources sector.

The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are a two-ship class of aircraft carrier being developed for the Royal Navy. HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in 2014, HMS Prince of Wales in 2016. The vessels will be 280 metres long and capable of carrying up to 50 aircraft.

Following financial close on the contract, the access and specialist coatings will be undertaken by Ship Support Services.

The contract is anticipated to generate revenues in excess of £70m to the joint venture company.

Martin May, chief executive of Cape, said: “We are delighted to contribute towards the construction of what will be the largest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. The project builds on our existing relationship with BVT Surface Fleet, and our extensive track-record in the marine defence sector. We look forward to using our technical and delivery expertise in support of the Royal Navy future capabilities.”