Shipbuilding

Balaena brings together the UK’s most historic and capable shipyards to deliver world-class shipbuilding, modular construction and advanced marine engineering.

From iconic naval vessels to commercial ferries, offshore craft and specialist platforms, Balaena has the expertise, infrastructure and skilled workforce to design, fabricate and assemble vessels of national importance.

Building the Next Generation of British and International Vessels

Balaena Engineer in hard hats and safety glasses standing inside a shipyard or construction site, smiling at the camera, surrounded by scaffolding and industrial equipment, with a large ship in the background.

Heritage of Excellence

From HMS Ark Royal to Royal Research Ship (RRS) Sir David Attenborough, Balaena knows what it takes to deliver vessels of vital national importance.

We have played a strategic role in UK shipbuilding for the past 200 years, with recent projects including block builds for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.

Today Balaena has delivered units for HMS Belfast (Ship 3) and HMS Birmingham (Ship 4) of the new Type 26 class of frigates. These programmes are being delivered on behalf of BAE.

In 2026, Balaena delivered the first new Mersey Ferry in 60 years and will deliver two new ferries on behalf of Western Ferries.

Other recent ferry projects which include the construction of the Red Kestrel on behalf of Red Funnel, the Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay for Western Ferries and the Strangford II for Strangford Ferries.

Our experienced and highly knowledgeable technical team of naval architects, marine engineers, electrical engineers and marine design draftsmen provide the expertise to deliver the most complex of shipbuilding projects from concept design to completion.

A modern gray naval warship sailing on the ocean with a cloudy sky in the background.

Current Major Programmes

Today, Balaena shipyards are delivering blocks, modules and outfitted units for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme on behalf of BAE Systems.

This includes:

+ HMS Belfast (Ship 3)

+ HMS Birmingham (Ship 4)

These complex units demonstrate Balaena’s proven ability to support tier-one defence customers through precision fabrication, integration and programme assurance.

Mersey Ferry Build Project

Balaena is constructing the first Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years.

Key project highlights:

+ Hull Number: 1,395 — marking the 1,395th ship built at the yard,

+ 16th Mersey Ferry built since 1836.

+ Designed entirely in-house by Balaena naval architects.

+ Constructed by our highly skilled marine, mechanical, electrical and fabrication teams,

+ Supported by 25 apprentices, contributing to the 171 apprentices currently in training across the business.

This ferry represents both the heritage and the future of shipbuilding on the Mersey and demonstrates Balaena’s commitment to community, skills development and sustainable industry growth.

Infographic of a passenger ferry vessel showing details with a photo of the ferry on the water in the background. The infographic includes sections with information on labor, all aboard crew and passengers, fast facts about deadweight, propulsion, power generation, speed, and a diagram of the ferry's construction. It states the ferry has 150 employees, 100 subcontractors, 25 apprentices, and 1700 hours of welding used. The ferry can carry 500 passengers, is 50 meters long with a 12-meter beam, a 1.4-meter propeller diameter, and uses 9200 meters of welding. Fast facts include a deadweight of 160 tons, diesel electric propulsion, three Tier III diesel generators, and a speed of 12 knots. The ferry is made in Britain, with a gross tonnage of 1060, and has a steel construction weighing 327 tonnes.

Major Programmes

Large red and white rescue ship with helipad and communication equipment on deck

RRS Sir David Attenborough

Length - 128.9 m

Breadth Moulded - 4 m

Lightship Weight - 10,500 t

Design Draught - 7 m

Red and white ferry boat with the label "Sound of Soay" and "westernferries," featuring a large front ramp and navigational equipment on top.

Western Ferries

Name - Sound of Seil / Soay

Type - Ro-Ro Ferry

LOA - 50 m

Beam - 15.01 m

A ship under construction with scaffolding and workers on deck, painted white and red with the words "Red Kestrel" and "Southampton" on its side.

Red Funnel

Name - MV Red Kestral

Type - Ro-Ro Double Ended Ferry

LOA - 74 m

Beam - 14.60 m

Passengers - 120

HGV’s - 12

Ferry boat named Strangford Belfast with people on deck, isolated against black background.

Strangford Ferry

Name - MV Strangford 2

Type - Single Deck Ro-Pax Ferry

LOA - 40.5 m

Beam - 17.80 m

Passengers - 260

HGV’s - 27

Balaena offers full-spectrum shipbuilding capability:

Design & Naval Architecture

+ Concept, basic, and detailed design

+ Hydrostatics, stability, structural calculations

+ Machinery layouts, electrical system design, outfit and integration engineering

Block & Modular Construction

+ Large-scale steel and aluminium block builds

+ Outfitted units

+ Precision fabrication and assembly

+ Load-out and transport to partner shipyards

Full Vessel Construction

+ Commercial vessels

+ Defence platforms

+ Research ships

+ Ferries and Ro-Ro vessels

+ Offshore support craft

End-to-End Capability

Integration & Outfitting

+ Mechanical, electrical, pipe, HVAC, steering, propulsion and power systems

+ Interior and habitability outfitting

+ Full QA/QC and testing programmes

Launch & Trials

+ Slipway and modular launch capability

+ Harbour and sea trials

+ Classification and certification support

Our People

Shipbuilding at Balaena is powered by a highly experienced technical team:

+ Naval architects

+ Marine and mechanical engineers

+ Electrical engineers

+ Marine design draftsmen

+ Skilled fabricators, welders, fitters and electricians

With 171 apprentices in training, we are investing in the next generation of shipbuilders and ensuring the continuity of these critical national skills.

Proven delivery of ships of national importance

  1. Strong UK and Gibraltar footprint across multiple major yards

  2. High-integrity facilities for defence and commercial projects

  3. Modular construction capacity for large naval programmes

  4. Deep heritage backed by modern engineering capability

  5. Scalable workforce and strong apprenticeship pipeline

  6. Full-service offering from concept to completion

Why build with Balaena?

Let’s Build the Future of Maritime Together

Balaena is actively partnering with Governments, shipowners, defence contractors and commercial operators to deliver the vessels of tomorrow.

Contact us to discuss your next vessel or modular shipbuilding requirement.

Contact Us
A worker welding metal in a factory, wearing protective gear including a welding helmet and gloves, with sparks flying from the welding process.