In the first major visit since the launch of the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy earlier this year, Defence Secretary and Shipbuilding Tsar Ben Wallace visited A&P Falmouth and the Pendennis Shipyard.

Mr Wallace toured the yard with David McGinley, CEO of A&P Group, Steve Jones, managing director A&P Falmouth and Truro MP Cherilyn Mackrory.

Alongside the Northern Arm he saw the offshore construction vessel Neptune mobilising for her next contract, HMS Scott in dry dock and other vessels in the port. He finished his tour by meeting some of the yard’s apprentices.

He said: “What I have seen in the south-west is a vibrant, thriving hub of global shipbuilding where cutting-edge innovation and skilled craftsmanship is being supported by more than four billion pounds worth of government-wide investment in the sector.

"Meeting with young apprentices across these yards, where they are leading in highly skilled and varied roles has been hugely encouraging.”

David Mc Ginley, CEO, said: “The National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh has come at a critical time for British shipyards and the wider supply chain, providing greater certainty of future UK shipbuilding projects, injecting vital confidence into the sector.

“The Defence Secretary’s visit to A&P Falmouth provided a platform for our business to share our strategy for the future and showcase our ongoing commitment to investing in our facilities and growing apprenticeship programme.

“A&P Falmouth is part of a global business which provides vital shipbuilding, ship repair, maintenance and support to the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and commercial marine sector.

“We look forward to working with the UK Government to deliver key pillars of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”

Pendennis chairman, Mike Carr said: “The National Shipbuilding Strategy is an exciting opportunity to bring together all aspects of the UK marine industry under one umbrella and Pendennis is keen to explore how we can play our part.”

The Defence Command paper published in the wake of the Integrated Review promised: “More than £50m will be spent converting a Bay Class support ship to deliver a more agile and lethal littoral strike capability.”

The three Bay Class ships are assigned to Falmouth under the Cluster Agreement with the MOD.

I asked Mr Wallace the timeline for this important conversion project and what part Falmouth could play. He said: “The project was ongoing with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines planning the lay - out for the ship required. I can say that A&P will have the chance to tender for this job.”

Over £4 billion of government investment will galvanise and support shipyards and suppliers across the UK, with new measures including better access to finance, vital skills-building, and funding for crucial research and development into greener vessels and infrastructure.

National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh will also deliver a pipeline of more than 150 new naval and civil vessels for the UK Government and Devolved Administrations over the next 30 years. The vessels will include large warships, Border Force cutters, lighthouse vessels and the new National Flagship.

The shipbuilding industry supports 42,000 jobs right across the country and adds £2.8 billion to the UK economy.