Navantia UK secures new export contract, creating 60 jobs at Methil

Navantia UK has won a second new vessel export contract for its Methil yard and is recruiting 60 skilled workers to support the next phase of work at the Fife facility.

The contract follows a first new vessel export order secured earlier this year and comes shortly after Methil completed construction of the Navantia UK Seahorse, the barge supporting delivery of the Fleet Solid Support programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Steve Chisholm, General Manager at Methil, said: “Winning another export contract shows the progress being made at Methil and the confidence customers are placing in the yard.

“With Seahorse completed, new work coming in and investment going into the site, we are now recruiting more skilled people to help build the yard’s future workload.”

The 60 roles are for experienced welders and platers, as well as riggers, scaffolders and painters. They will support a busier programme of work at the yard, building on recent delivery, new export orders and investment in the site.

How new investment is improving infrastructure and training facilities at Methil

Navantia UK recently announced a further £12 million investment at Methil to support improved training facilities, modern machinery, infrastructure improvements and new technology. This will take total investment in the yard to £26.7 million since the company acquired the site in January 2025.

Methil is also looking to support the floating docks programme for HM Naval Base Clyde, following the Chancellor’s announcement earlier this month that the infrastructure will be built and delivered in UK shipyards.

Since acquisition, the workforce at Methil has grown from 180 to 275 people. The latest recruitment campaign will add more high-quality skilled jobs, alongside the company’s apprenticeship programme, which now has 75 apprentices in training at the site.

Building on a legacy of heavy engineering to strengthen Scotland’s industrial capability

The recruitment drive builds on generations of skill and heavy engineering experience at Methil. Allan Lister, a plater who started at the yard in 1985, said: “I’ve worked all over Britain and the guys you worked with here, nine times out of 10, were better than anybody else.”

Peter Ednie, who began as a burner in 1982, gives a sense of the work involved: “I’ve cut steel over 300 millimetres thick.” That experience is now being passed on to a new generation. Welder Willie Gibson, who also joined in 1982, said: “We’ve got some really good apprentices.”

Katherine Thorn, Head of Talent and Culture at Navantia UK, said: “These are good skilled jobs, with the opportunity to work on significant programmes, develop long-term careers and contribute to the future of shipbuilding in Fife.

“We are looking for experienced welders and platers who want to join a growing team at a yard with a proud industrial heritage and a stronger pipeline of work.”

Rhea Wolfson, GMB Scotland secretary, said: “Under new ownership, this shipyard is going from strength to strength with new investment being reflected in orders and recruitment.

“The importance of these skilled jobs and quality apprenticeships to the communities of Fife and Scotland’s industrial capability cannot be overstated.”