KBS Maritime has awarded a multi-million pound contract to Ravestein BV to deliver four caissons for His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth which will enter service in Spring 2027.
The contract includes designing and manufacturing two sliding caissons (B Lock West and D Lock West) and two floating caissons (A Lock East and B Lock East). These will improve resilience for transiting platforms in and out of 3 Basin and add dry-dock capabilities at Portsmouth. The design will leverage KBS Maritime’s expertise and insights into the operational requirements of Portsmouth Naval Base.
The four new caissons will be designed to remain in service for 50 years and replace the original caissons which entered service in the late 1990’s. The new design will allow for routine maintenance and servicing to be carried out without the need to remove the caisson from service.
Serena Lewis, Commercial Director at KBS Maritime, stated, “We look forward to continuing to optimise this complex site to meet the modern Navy’s operational needs while keeping the port and dockyard open for regular operations. This contract underscores our commitment to enhancing HMNB Portsmouth’s infrastructure to support future naval vessels and maintain operational efficiency”
This contract follows KBS Maritime’s earlier announcement this year regarding the initiation of the D Lock Regeneration Programme and the broader Locks and Docks programme. The programmes aims to ensure that the facilities at HMNB Portsmouth can accommodate the evolving requirements of future naval vessels such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates.
Dutch steel-construction manufacturer Ravestein has a proven track record in delivering caissons to both Portsmouth and Devonport Naval Bases, including the successful delivery of the 14 dock caisson in 2018, which supported the ongoing maintenance program for the Type 45 Destroyers at Portsmouth.
