The £19m contract to upgrade Mare Harbour was signed with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
The contract form part of a commitment by defence secretary Michael Fallon to invest £180m over the next decade to modernise the military infrastructure on the Islands.
The contract covers for design, construction and associated costs and will provide a roll-on roll-off facility suitable to cater for larger vessels. There are approximately 10 sailings per year for the delivery of military supplies including hardware, food and infrastructure, as well as a small amount of commercial freight to the Falkland Islands.
Defence secretary Michael Fallon said: “Improving Mare Harbour is an important part of our major investment plan to modernise infrastructure in the Falkland Islands. This will boost the capability of our armed forces and help support greater economic opportunities for the Islanders.”
Yesterday’s £19m contract to improve facilities at the berths in Mare Harbour is expected to be followed by investment to improve the power station at Mount Pleasant Camp as well as new services accommodation at the three radar sites. There are currently about 1,200 military and civilian personnel based in the Falklands.
Rob Coupe, Managing Director of VolkerStevin, said: “As a specialist in marine construction works, we look forward to working on this design and build project for the roll-on roll-off facility upgrade. We have worked previously with the DIO and are currently working on a similar project with them at Portsmouth so are happy to be able to build on this existing partnership.”
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