According to Maritime UK there’s currently only a few shipyards in the UK, mainly dedicated to building specialist ships. There are also a number of smaller shipyards building smaller vessels such as tugs, ferries, fishing and survey/research vessels. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to plough huge investment in order to restore Britain’s navy and shipbuilding industry to its position as one of the world’s most renowned maritime countries. Highlighting that shipbuilding is the key to creating a stable platform for which the maritime industry can later build on. 

He also announced plans for 13 more frigates to be part of a new generation of warships, which he said would spur a renaissance in shipbuilding across the United Kingdom.

Speaking in the Houses of Parliament, Johnson went on to say “the benefits of the union in the white light of the arc welder’s torch,” and “If there was one policy which strengthens the UK in every possible sense, it is building more ships for the Royal Navy.” 
The news comes at a good time for the UK with the economy struggling to recover from the effects of COVID-19. Shipbuilding was once one of the UK’s major industries and spanned across all four of its nations. The new pledge made by Boris Johnson will create new jobs for the shipbuilding industry and boost development throughout the United Kingdom. 

The UK Government has since announced a shipbuilding competition whereby companies can compete to build three Fleet Solid Support Warships that will begin from spring 2021. This will allow both UK companies and international companies to work together and share their respective skills and expertise in the industry. The condition is that the successful manufacturing team must be led by a British company. This will have a huge impact on the local economies across the UK where shipbuilding is a prominent feature.