The event was hosted by Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, and featured keynote speeches from The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defense Procurement, Tan Dhesi, Chairman of the House of Commons’ Defense Committee, and Alan Donnelly, Chairman of Gibdock’s Advisory Board. Discussions focused on the critical role of strategic ship repair and maintenance in ensuring fleet readiness and operational capability.
“Gibraltar and Gibdock make a fantastic, if somewhat underappreciated, contribution to our national security. The Rock is a strategic hub and enables and supports our military operations across the Euro Atlantic, Africa, and the Middle East,” said Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defense Procurement.
“Gibdock is a fantastic, profitable, efficient shipyard that can bring a lot to UK defense,” commented Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defense Select Committee.
“I’ve been really impressed with how Gibdock pulled together and how it’s working now as a very, very efficient and slick organization. With a shortage of docks and facilities in this country, pressure will come on, and Gibdock will be very important,” added Lord West, former First Sea Lord.
“We need extra capacity in our dockyards, and because we are a commercial shipyard doing both merchant and naval shipping, our discipline ensures ships come in, get repaired or refitted on budget and on time. We want to expand Gibdock, making it suitable for aircraft carriers and even nuclear submarines—without asking for public funds. If given the opportunity, we will use private investment to make this happen,” said Alan Donnelly, Chair of Gibdock’s Advisory Board.
Gibdock’s facilities represent a 23% increase in the capacity of UK commercial dry docks utilized by the MOD today. With its long-standing reputation for excellence, Gibdock is committed to supporting the UK’s defense and security needs through high-quality ship repair services and a new era of shipyard excellence under Balaena’s leadership.
Since Balaena’s acquisition in 2022, Gibdock has undergone extensive improvements, ensuring its operations meet the highest industry benchmarks. The shipyard has implemented state-of-the-art systems that enhance productivity, maintain safety excellence, and optimize project timelines, with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation.
As a leading maritime hub strategically located at the gateway to the Mediterranean—with top-tier health & safety standards, a highly skilled workforce, and a commitment to modernization—Gibdock is an important player in the commercial and defense maritime sectors, and is providing vital support to the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and to NATO partners (see Annex: Recent Case Studies)
Commitment to Excellence in Health & Safety
Health & Safety remain at the forefront of Gibdock’s operational philosophy. Under Balaena’s leadership, stringent safety protocols have been introduced, aligning with international best practices to safeguard workers and clients alike. Advanced training programs ensure that all personnel operate in a culture of continuous improvement with a strong focus on risk mitigation and regulatory compliance.
A Highly Skilled Workforce, Driving Innovation
Gibdock’s greatest asset is its highly skilled workforce, which is renowned for delivering timely and cost-effective solutions to the most complex maritime projects. The shipyard’s robust apprenticeship and training initiatives, developed in collaboration with UK institutions, have strengthened the skills base, ensuring a pipeline of talent capable of meeting the evolving demands of the global maritime industry.
Strategic Location & Unmatched Capabilities
Situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean, Gibdock provides a unique advantage for vessels operating in the region. The shipyard’s geostrategic position reduces downtime for shipowners and defense partners, offering rapid response maintenance, refit, and repair services.
A Future-Ready Shipyard
Gibdock looks forward to playing a vital role in strengthening Britain’s sovereign maritime capabilities as part of the UK’s 2025 Defense Industrial Strategy. Modern sustainability initiatives and cutting-edge engineering solutions mean Gibdock is set to remain a center of excellence for ship maintenance and repair for years to come.
