Mersey Engineering Firm Completes Naval Contracts for Cammell Laird

Birkenhead (UK) based engineering firm IPS Marine Fabrications has completed a series of major contracts on four Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels for Merseyside shipyard and engineering service provider Cammell Laird.

IPS is one of only a handful of marine contractors in the UK specialising in both insulation and fabrication, though the fabrication services it provides to Cammell Laird are limited to specific areas (see company background).  Director Paul Smith said the company’s contract with Cammell Laird, to work on its through life support contact with the RFA, showcases a broad range of IPS’ services.

“We are very proud to have worked for Cammell Laird on its contract, to maintain nine ships in the RFA flotilla, since it was awarded by the Ministry of Defence in 2008,” he said. “In that time, we have built up extensive experience and understanding of all nine vessels and how our services can be best delivered. Moreover, we have developed a strong insight into how the RFA and Cammell Laird work together, led by the Cluster Support Team (CST), in Birkenhead. It is vital that we, as a supplier, support the CST in its constant drive to improve fleet time availability by delivering greater engineering efficiency and greater value for investment.”

Mr Smith said in the last six months the company has worked on RFA Fort Rosalie, RFA Wave Ruler, RFA Diligence and RFA Fort Austin.

“In terms of insulation services, for the most recent contracts, we manufactured and installed bespoke main engine insulation on both the RFA Fort Rosalie and RFA Wave Ruler at Cammell Laird. In addition on RFA Wave Ruler we manufactured and installed special custom built insulation packs for the diesel generators. The key factor for insulation, in a high temperature environment, especially on board ship, is safety; particularly safety from fire. That is what the insulation must protect against. As a result we meticulously manufacture, test and install our insulation packs to the highest industry standards, including Lloyd’s and flammable fluid SOLAS requirements. That attention to detail informs everything we do for Cammell Laird and the RFA.”

Mr Smith said IPS manufactured and installed thermal, acoustic and structural fire protection extensively throughout both vessels. IPS also undertook complex upgrades to the vessels' ventilation systems, installing a new air conditioning plant in the RFA Fort Rosalie and fabricating and fitting more than 50 jalousie slatted panels to improve air flow through both vessels.

“IPS only fabricates a specific range of products for Cammell Laird including stainless steel galleys and vents,” he said. “On these two vessels our work included production of new main engine uptakes and steel skeletons for the radio room and bridge” he said.

Mr Smith added that IPS had undertaken similar work in the last six months on the RFA Diligence and RFA Fort Austin at Cammell Laird as well as in Portland, Dorset and in Crombie, Scotland. 

“These were two complex and demanding contracts which saw us again install thermal, acoustic and structural fire protection throughout the vessels,” he said. “On the RFA Fort Austin we also undertook our biggest ventilation upgrade for the RFA to date. Meanwhile, on the RFA Diligence we removed the main engine exhaust insulation and installed new high temperature structural fire protection.”