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Serco orders 24 tugs, workboats for UK Royal Navy
As part of the UK’s defence vessel renewal programme, a fleet of 24 will be built by a Dutch group at shipyards in Europe and Asia for delivery by 2028
Serco has ordered a new fleet of 24 vessels of various types, including tugs and pilot boats, from Damen Shipyards to support the Royal Navy in three ports.
Damen will construct azimuth stern drive (ASD) and reverse stern drive (RSD) tugs, pilot boats, barges and cranes barges under the UK government’s programme to replace ageing workboats that provide marine services to its defence sector.
Once brought into service in 2027 and 2028, these vessels will support Royal Navy bases in Clyde in Scotland, and Devonport and Portsmouth in England.
In Q3 2025, Serco was awarded a 10-year contract to provide maritime services at these naval bases and to renew the workboat fleet as part of the UK’s defence, maritime service next-generation (DMS NG) vessel replacement project (VRP).
As part of its contract with the Royal Navy, Serco is responsible for vessel towage, passenger transfer and barge and tank cleaning, while maintaining harbour movements and various support services.
For this part of the DMS NG VRP, Serco will be the prime contractor, with Damen is serving as the subcontractor.
Damen-built newbuilds will modernise the navy’s auxiliary fleet and be able to handle its largest ships.
"Serco is continuing its long-standing partnership with the UK Royal Navy and working alongside Damen once again on this vital programme,” said Serco maritime services director Guy Barker.
“The DMS NG VRP represents a significant step forward in modernising the Ministry of Defence’s auxiliary fleet. We are confident in delivering a fleet that will enhance the effectiveness and resilience of maritime support operations across the UK’s naval bases.”
Damen builds its ASD tugboats in its shipyards in China and Vietnam; its RSD tugs are built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam; with other vessel types built in shipyards in Poland and Romania and completed in the Netherlands.
Serco has provided marine services to the Royal Navy for more than two decades and previously worked with Damen on a fleet renewal programme and has introduced 29 vessels for the UK’s maritime services programme since 2007.
Following the delivery of these 24 new vessels, Damen will provide ongoing support from its service hubs in the UK, including warranty support, spare parts, training, service and maintenance, throughout the lifecycle of these vessels.
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