The UK government has confirmed plans to build three new floating docks for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet and a new marine research vessel at British shipyards.
The floating docks will be delivered under Programme Euston at HM Naval Base Clyde through a UK-only competition. The facilities will provide out-of-water engineering capacity for the Royal Navy’s current and future nuclear-powered submarine fleet, supporting inspections, upgrades and repairs.
The Ministry of Defence has previously described Programme Euston as a multi-billion-pound investment covering three floating docks and associated infrastructure. The programme forms part of the wider Clyde Transformation Programme, while detailed delivery arrangements and schedules are still being developed.
Separately, the government has committed to building a new research vessel for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) at a UK shipyard. The 85 m vessel will accommodate more than 40 people and carry out scientific work including fish-stock assessment, seabed mapping, pollution monitoring and response to marine incidents.
The new ship is planned to use automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as clean fuels. It will replace RV Cefas Endeavour, which has supported UK marine research since 2003 and is due to retire in the early 2030s. The replacement vessel is expected to become operational in 2031 or 2032, with Cefas planning to engage with the UK shipbuilding sector over the next stage of procurement.
The projects come as investment continues at several UK shipyards. Navantia UK said in August that £26.7 million had been invested in modernising its Methil yard in Fife since the company acquired the facility in January 2025. The company said the work is preparing Methil for defence contracts, including UK sovereign shipbuilding and naval construction.
