The project, which has involved months of meticulous planning from KBS Maritime and Malin Abram, saw the vessel carefully rolled onto a semi-submersible launch barge provided by Tronds Marine, after which it floated off and launched successfully.
The contract represents a new relationship between the two companies. It builds on Malin’s rich history of successful defense projects, dating from the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier in the 1980s to the more recent load-out and float-off of the Type 26, first-in-class HMS Glasgow in 2022, and HMS Cardiff in 2024.
Jamie Bowie, Engineering Director, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this project for KBS Maritime; there are a myriad of considerations with roll-out and float-off operations, from the weather and tides—including red weather storms—to the weight and dimensions of the vessel itself, so seeing this Hunt Class vessel safely launched is fantastic. Working with KBS Maritime, the Royal Navy, and the Ministry of Defence has afforded us the opportunity to expand our defense expertise to Portsmouth, such a hub of exciting and important activity, as well as providing us with an invaluable experience to a full team of naval architects and engineers.”
Malin Abram is part of the Malin Group, a family of specialized brands and teams who together provide end-to-end solutions to the marine industry. As such, the group offers a full range of services to the maritime industry—over a variety of projects, across a range of sectors, all over the world.
