Balaena Welcomes His Majesty King Willem-Alexander to Birkenhead

Today we were honoured to welcome His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to our Birkenhead yard. Royal House of the Netherlands

HIs Majesty addressed guests in our construction hall, joined by Sjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Vincent Karremans Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgöz - Zegerius, alongside representatives from National Shipbuilding Office, and Dutch and British businesses participating in the trade mission.

"With this visit, we want to further intensify that cooperation. It is not for nothing that we visit the northwest of the United Kingdom. This is where it happens, in and around the City of Innovation." – King Willem-Alexander

His Majesty then toured the site and heard about the yard’s recent projects, plans for the future, and saw ongoing work on The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Manxman vessel.

The visit finished at the The Engineering College, where the King met some of our apprentices training in welding, pipework and engineering design, alongside graduate naval architects.

Group CEO Simon Gillett said, “We are extremely proud to welcome His Majesty the King to the Balaena yard here at Birkenhead, one of Britain’s most historic shipyards, and to showcase not only the proud heritage of British shipbuilding, but also its renewed strength, ambition and potential.”

Our Birkenhead MD, Mike Hill added: “The future of British shipbuilding lies in the skills and ambition of the next generation. Having started my own career as an engineering apprentice in this very yard, it is a source of immense pride to now lead a business investing in the shipbuilders of tomorrow. “

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making today happen, and to our Dutch and UK partners for joining us.

Photo Copyright Joël van Houdt