Dozens of skilled jobs have been secured in Fife after engineering firm Briggs Marine secured a landmark £182 million contract with the Ministry of Defence.
The Burntisland company has signed an eight-year government contract to supply and maintain authority moorings, markers and targets.
It is the largest contract in Briggs Marine’s 50-year history, which bosses say will safeguard existing jobs and create new ones over the length of the agreement.
Briggs Marine said they would also be able to invest further in its vessel fleet and industrial infrastructure in that time.
The deal forms part of the MoD’s next generation of marine services programme.
Briggs will deliver scheduled maintenance requirements alongside an extensive replacement programme to modernise and standardise the MoD’s heavy moorings and aids to navigation.
These are “vital” to naval operations, both at home and overseas.
Briggs Marine contract
Around 80 jobs will also be secured by the contract announcement.
Iain Ross, director of port and marine services, said: “Specialist marine services are an important enabler to the country’s defence capabilities and Briggs Marine is proud to support that.
“Our excellent track record in delivering services to the MoD’s high standards sets us in good stead.
“We welcome this new opportunity, and we are confident that we will continue to deliver exceptional results.”
Investment
The maintenance tasking requires a unique combination of marine and subsea skills, which Briggs Marine has built expertise in since launching in the 1970s.
It has previously undertaken similar work on maintenance programmes as prime subcontractors with Serco.
Managing director Collieson Briggs added: “This new contract will both safeguard existing jobs and create significant new opportunities throughout the UK.
“We look forward to delivering outstanding results whilst continuing to invest in the company’s growth and capability.”
Briggs Marine began initially providing workboats and services on the Firth of Forth, and has steadily increased its range of services.
These include port and oil terminal operations, moorings and aids to navigation maintenance, vessel management, submarine cable installation and maintenance, vessel hire, environmental response and consultation, marine survey and air diving.
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