Babcock to close Appledore Shipyard

Babcock International has decided to exit operations at its Appledore facility in Devon, ending its site lease in March 2019.

A source familiar with the situation stated that the decision came after the shipyard has not been given any new work for some time by its main client, Britain's Ministry of Defence.

Trade union Unite said Appledore's closing was facilitated in large part by the loss of a contract to Fincantieri and the government's tendency towards yards overseas for its shipbuilding needs.