UK govt launches market sounding for vessel partnership
A UK Government agency is considering partnership models to replace a ship.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has issued a prior information notice (PIN) to notify the market of an upcoming tender opportunity (subject to Business Case approval) for the provision of a Research Vessel (RV) to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
Cefas wishes to engage a suitably qualified and experienced shipyard for the design and build of a new Research Vessel which is specifically tailored to meet Cefas’ marine and fisheries scientific requirements and be capable of technological update over a service life of 30 years minimum.
The RV Cefas Endeavour reaches the end of its operational life in 2033 and it is the intention to enter a new vessel into service prior to this to ensure continuity of scientific delivery. The value of this procurement (the design and build) is estimated to be in the region of £70 – 100 million.
Part of the requirement may also include identifying potential funding, financing and/or partnership options which may be applicable throughout the project lifecycle for both the design / build element and during the operational lifetime.
The PIN notes a project has been established to begin the work to develop a replacement vessel which can transform the way our seas are monitored by embracing new technologies for data collection and by providing next generation capability to progress our commitments to net zero.
The project received Strategic Outline Case (SOC) approval from HM Treasury in late 2023 and is currently progressing to Outline Business Case (OBC) submission stage. The OBC will put forward (as the preferred option) a replacement vessel and is due to be submitted for investment consideration, decisions and approvals by the end of June 2025.
To inform the OBC’s Procurement Strategy within the Commercial Case, Cefas are conducting early market engagement with industry to help define and develop the procurement and commercial strategies. Cefas will be hosting a market engagement event on 12th November 2024 in Manchester.
Cefas is a world leader in marine science and technology, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) collects, manages and interprets data on the aquatic environment, biodiversity and fisheries. Cefas is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Meanwhile, The Crown Estate, as managers of the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will publish on 11 September 2024 a report entitled ‘Future of Offshore Wind: Considerations for future development and leasing to 2030 and Beyond’ that sets out early thinking on bringing forward the next generation of offshore wind leasing in England and Wales.
Through a Prior Information Notice, The Crown Estate wishes to bring this publication to existing or potential offshore windfarm developers’ attention and seek their views by way of early market engagement.
