Move strengthens the Balaena’s capabilities in ship repair, vessel maintenance, engineering and defence support services
Balaena, the maritime engineering and shipbuilding group that owns Gibraltar’s historic Gibdock facility and a shipyard in Padstow, Cornwall, has announced the acquisition of APCL Group, significantly expanding its UK shipyard portfolio and strengthening its position in the ship repair, maintenance and marine engineering markets.
The acquisition adds a number of strategically important facilities to Balaena’s operations, including Tyneside (A&P Tyne), Birkenhead (Cammell Laird) and Falmouth (A&P Falmouth and Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company).
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Balaena’s mission to expand and improve Britain’s maritime and naval shipbuilding and ship repair capability and capacity. Not only will the new enterprise provide the basis for increased support to UK Defence interests, and underpin the Government’s UK Industrial Strategy, but it will also offer one of the UK’s most comprehensive commercial ship repair and refit networks, serving operators in the offshore energy, cargo, cruise, and ferry sectors. The enlarged group will provide enhanced drydocking, hull fabrication, and life-extension services, reducing vessel downtime and strengthening Britain’s position as a competitive hub for global ship repair.
The integration of Balaena’s modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCL’s infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth will create one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups – with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean. Together, under the one Balaena brand, they will provide a unified customer interface and flexible operational base, enabling Balaena to respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.
Simon Gillett, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Balaena, said: “We are delighted to welcome APCL Group into Balaena. This acquisition reinforces our long-term commitment to British maritime capability – creating jobs, expanding apprenticeships, and driving innovation in line with the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review and the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
“By uniting Balaena’s vision and ambition with APCL’s skilled teams in Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, we are strengthening the UK’s ability to deliver for both the Royal Navy and the global commercial maritime sector, while investing in the next generation of British shipbuilders and engineers”.
David McGinley CEO of APCL Group, added: “Joining Balaena marks an exciting new chapter for APCL and our workforce. It secures the future of our shipyards, allows new investment in digital and green shipbuilding technologies, and renews our commitment to working closely with local communities on Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth to create jobs, apprenticeships, and lasting prosperity”.
Balaena plans to invest in modernising APCL’s facilities, expanding capacity for ship repair, offshore fabrication, and low-emission propulsion systems. A new national skills and apprenticeship programme will also be launched in partnership with local colleges and maritime training bodies to develop Britain’s next generation of maritime professionals.
With a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, Balaena is now one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups – combining industrial agility, innovation, and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness, and sustainability across both naval and merchant ship sectors.
