ABP and Goodchild Marine partnership focuses on modernising pilot launch capabilities to meet evolving port and marine service requirements
Associated British Ports (ABP) and Goodchild Marine are further advancing their established partnership through the ongoing development and enhancement of ABP’s pilot launch fleet, supporting safe, efficient and increasingly sustainable marine operations across key UK ports.
The relationship between ABP, the UK’s largest ports operator and Goodchild Marine, a specialist UK boat builder, is underpinned by a shared commitment to operational excellence, marine safety and continuous improvement. In recent years, the partnership has focused on the delivery and refinement of modern ORC pilot launch vessels designed to enhance seakeeping performance, crew comfort, fuel efficiency and emissions performance.
This collaboration forms part of ABP’s broader fleet renewal programme, through which the company has invested in next-generation pilot vessels serving ports including the Humber, Southampton and South Wales. Goodchild Marine has supported ABP over many years on earlier pilot vessel projects, reflecting the depth, continuity and strategic value of the relationship between the two organisations.
“Our partnership with Goodchild Marine underlines ABP’s long-term commitment to investing in high-quality marine assets that enable safe, resilient and efficient operations across our port network. The ongoing modernisation of our pilot launch fleet ensures we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers, marine teams and the wider supply chain. This latest generation of launches strengthens safety and wellbeing, enhances operational performance, and supports our environmental ambitions” – Steven Clapperton, Head of Marine (Humber)
“We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with ABP through the delivery of pilot launch vessels that combine robust performance, operational practicality and ongoing design improvement. This collaboration demonstrates the value of close partnership between operator and builder in delivering vessels that are fit for purpose, future-focused and built to support essential maritime operations.” – Stephen Pierce, General Manager, Goodchild Marine Services Limited
By combining vessel design expertise with operational insight from pilots and marine crews, the partnership has delivered practical enhancements that support the day-to-day effectiveness of port operations. The result is a pilot launch fleet better positioned to meet evolving expectations in safety, reliability and environmental performance, while maintaining the high standards essential to pilotage services.
This continued collaboration demonstrates the value of long-term industrial partnerships in strengthening UK maritime capability, supporting domestic shipbuilding expertise and investing in critical infrastructure that enables trade to move safely and efficiently. The ninth vessel under the current programme, PV Ancholme, is being exhibited at Seawork 2026 before entering service with ABP Humber. Construction of a tenth vessel is scheduled to commence later this year
