APCL Cammell Laird reaches major milestone in construction of two Royal Navy ships

APCL Cammell Laird achieved its latest milestone in the Type 26 programme build – successfully completing the fabrication of key structural components for Ship 4 HMS Birmingham and Ship 3 HMS Belfast.

There’s another proud moment for the team at APCL Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, as they’ve hit a huge milestone in one of the UK’s most advanced naval shipbuilding projects.

The local shipyard has successfully completed major structural work on two Royal Navy warships – HMS Birmingham (Ship 4) and HMS Belfast (Ship 3) – as part of the cutting-edge Type 26 programme being delivered by BAE Systems.

HMS Birmingham’s mega consolidated double bottom block, a crucial part of Ship 4, has been completed weighing approximately 1000 tonnes.

This substantial unit has undergone a meticulous build process for the past 21 months and was loaded out via a barge from the wet basin at APCL Cammell Laird to BAE System’s Govan Shipyard, where it will be integrated into the larger ship structure.

HMS Birmingham’s mega block alone has been fitted with 8,437 secondary structural items, including pipes, ladders, access walkways, and seats for ship equipment.

Alongside the mega block, Ship 3 HMS Belfast’s upper units have also been completed. This includes two double-stacked units and four single units. These components have also been transported using a coaster to Glasgow for further assembly.

And it’s not just about big steel structures – this project has also been a brilliant opportunity for the next generation of shipbuilders. Apprentices from APCL Cammell Laird have been in the centre of construction, learning their trades in pipe fitting, welding, plating, rigging and project management.