Developing the naval dockyard of the future

Opportunity

Babcock’s Devonport facility is co-located with HM Naval Base Devonport and forms the largest naval support site in Western Europe. As owner, operator and licensee, Babcock is upgrading a number of the site’s docks and berths. As well as surface ship life extension and maintenance programmes, onsite operations focus on the deep maintenance (in a dry dock allowing re-fits and improvements) of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet, for which Babcock is the UK’s sole provider.

The naval base has been selected as the base port for the Navy’s new Type 26 frigates and will become the maintenance centre for the future submarine programme including the Astute and Dreadnought class. These ships are integral to the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) programme, helping to keep our nation safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Major infrastructure works are required to meet the future needs of the UK’s Royal Navy. To support Babcock with this work and provide construction industry expertise, a joint venture between Costain and Mott MacDonald (CosMott) was awarded a 5-year framework as Delivery Partner for the 10 Dock Programme and the Major Infrastructure Projects (MIP) business unit.

The Delivery Partner role brings best practice and learning from the construction sector and provides capability and capacity through the deployment of people, processes and tools. We are shaping project management and construction management strategies to build new nuclear-standard facilities within an existing operational nuclear site and operational Navy base.

Solution

During the initial project design phase, we undertook a maturity and Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA) Project Route Map assessment to develop a robust understanding of the challenges faced and shape delivery strategies. Based on findings, transition plans were produced for each business function including commercial, project controls, project management, construction, commissioning, and design management.

The transition plan aimed to create a single, high performing team, bringing together the capability, knowledge and experience of Babcock and the joint venture of Costain and Mott MacDonald as delivery partners, the Submarine Delivery Agency, the Royal Navy, additional delivery partners, design partners, construction partners and the local Plymouth community. Collaborative working and a one team culture was encouraged. Active management of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and cultural behavioural coaching was used to enhance successful programme delivery and minimise risk.

To accelerate the schedule and further reduce risk, a specialised, cross-functional ‘Tiger Team’ was created to solve and investigate specific challenges and critical issues. Action included implementing Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT) workshops to drive innovation and reporting dashboards to ensure consistency and best practice. We brought together individuals across nine organisations within the supply chain for a number of workshops, which resulted in considerable opportunities including ten months of potential critical path savings.

Outcome

Over 200 people have now been mobilised across the various workstreams; the integrated team has the capabilities and expertise required to succeed in terms of people, process and tools.

A unified BIM strategy is helping to identify areas where time can be saved in the schedule, and to enable smooth, unambiguous transfer of knowledge between designers and construction contractors. BIM models will also be used to rehearse construction methods and make use of Modern Methods of Construction, including offsite manufacture, where possible.

The programme will deliver key infrastructure improvements that will support the next generation of maritime platforms, helping the Royal Navy keep the nation safe. It will also create substantial opportunities and development for the construction professionals of the future, and create economic opportunities, improved social value and a lasting legacy to the area.