Harland & Wolff, the iconic shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has secured a major contract to build two new cruise ships for Cunard and P&O Cruises. The deal is worth over £600 million and is set to create hundreds of jobs in the region.
The two ships will be built side by side at the Harland & Wolff shipyard, which has a rich history of shipbuilding dating back over 150 years. The ships will be the largest ever built in the UK and will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making them some of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world.
The first ship, which will be built for Cunard, is set to be delivered in 2022 and will be the fourth ship in the company’s fleet. The ship will be named after Queen Elizabeth, the current monarch of the United Kingdom, and will be able to accommodate up to 3,000 passengers.
The second ship, which will be built for P&O Cruises, is set to be delivered in 2023 and will be the largest ship ever built for the company. The ship will be named after the company’s founder, Arthur Anderson, and will be able to accommodate up to 5,200 passengers.
The contract is a major boost for Harland & Wolff, which has struggled in recent years due to a lack of orders. The shipyard was once one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland, but has seen its workforce shrink from over 30,000 in the 1920s to just a few hundred today.
The new contract is expected to create hundreds of new jobs at the shipyard, as well as providing a boost to the local economy. The shipyard has already begun recruiting for a range of roles, including welders, electricians, and engineers.
The announcement of the new contract has been welcomed by politicians and business leaders in Northern Ireland. The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, said: “This is fantastic news for Harland & Wolff and for the wider economy in Northern Ireland. The shipyard has a proud history of shipbuilding and this contract will help to secure its future for many years to come.”
The CEO of Harland & Wolff, John Wood, said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract to build two new cruise ships for Cunard and P&O Cruises. This is a major milestone for the shipyard and is a testament to the skills and expertise of our workforce. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver these world-class ships.”
In conclusion, the new contract to build two new cruise ships for Cunard and P&O Cruises is a major boost for Harland & Wolff and for the wider economy in Northern Ireland. The ships will be the largest ever built in the UK and will be powered by LNG, making them some of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world. The contract is expected to create hundreds of new jobs at the shipyard and will help to secure its future for many years to come.
