Expansion momentum Harland & Wolff, now under Navantia UK, is undergoing a major modernization and capacity expansion at the Belfast shipyard, including automation and advanced manufacturing systems. This signals ongoing investment and a need for scalable, digitally integrated solutions, equipment upgrades, and project management services to support larger and more complex builds.

Workforce growth The company plans to substantially grow its headcount and apprenticeships, aiming to reach around 1,500 employees with hundreds of new apprentices by 2030. This creates opportunities for training, onboarding software, safety and compliance programs, recruitment technology, and workforce productivity tools.

Digital transformation The yard’s technology stack includes Power BI, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SharePoint, Dynamics and other enterprise tools, indicating ongoing demand for systems integration, data analytics, CAD/CAM optimization, and collaboration platforms to boost productivity, quality, and traceability.

Sustainability and automation The modernization program emphasizes sustainability, productivity, and quality through state-of-the-art automation. This presents sales opportunities for energy-efficient equipment, automation hardware, robotics, remote monitoring, and lifecycle services that reduce emissions and maintenance costs.

Strategic partnerships Navantia UK’s involvement in the Fleet Solid Support program and collaborations with local and regional partners (e.g., Point and Sandwick Trust) highlight a channel-rich environment. This opens doors for subcontracting, regional supply chain partnerships, training ecosystems, and social value initiatives that resonate with public sector defense and industrial policy buyers.