
Portsmouth Naval Base – iStock
BAE Systems has bolstered its supporting role with the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base, winning two contracts as part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) competition.
The contracts, worth up to £1.3 billion over five years, start in October following a transition period.
BAE Systems will continue to deliver ship asset management, repair and maintenance for the entire Portsmouth flotilla under a £900 million contract. It will also create a joint venture with KBR to deliver technology-led and data-driven FM and dockside services at the base under a £365 million contract. The joint venture – to be known as KBS Maritime – will combine the expertise of KBR as a global leader in the infrastructure asset management and services market, with BAE Systems’ experience and capability at Portsmouth Naval Base.
The first of the contracts taken by BAE Systems (Ship Engineering Delivery and Management) covers Class Output Management (strategy), Design Services (technical planning and design) and Ship Engineering (maintenance, repair and upgrade).
The second contract (Hard Facilities Management & Alongside Services) encompasses strategic estate management, infrastructure programme development and delivery and provision of operations, maintenance and alongside services. KBS Maritime will develop the Portsmouth base infrastructure, guaranteeing a fit-for-purpose naval fleet for the Royal Navy and the UK.
BAE Systems and its legacy companies have partnered the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base for over 20 years – over the past seven years delivering the Maritime Support Delivery Framework (MSDF) as part of Team Portsmouth. Under this contract, BAE Systems has managed the entire estate and supported the Portsmouth-based flotilla.
The provider has also helped to deliver several improvements to the base under MSDF. These include a Centre of Specialisation for Aircraft Carriers, upgrades to 14 and 15 dock and creation of a D lock.
It has also helped to cut carbon emissions from about 100,000 tonnes to 35,000 tonnes a year during the past 15 years by creating a combined heat and power (CHP) plant to supply power to the aircraft carriers and introducing electric vehicles. Other works include developing a carbon profile and road map for the base to achieve the MoD’s net-zero goals by 2050.
David Mitchard, managing director of BAE Systems Maritime Services business, said: “These new contracts will enable us to continue our vital role in supporting the Royal Navy, at home and abroad, building on our long history of delivery, investment and collaboration at Portsmouth Naval Base.
“Working with our customer, we’re proud of the improvements we’ve made at the base, delivering significant infrastructure improvements and reducing carbon emissions by 65 per cent.”
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