Our Shipyard
Our shipyard stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of restoration and innovation. Located in the historic Port of Sunderland, the site had been abandoned for seven years before we began its revival in March of this year. What we found was a space steeped in potential but long forgotten — a sleeping giant of maritime industry.
Through hard work and careful restoration, we have brought the shipyard back to life. From reviving the original pumping systems to overhauling critical infrastructure, every part of the site has been reawakened with purpose. It is now a fully operational facility, supporting complex refit and construction projects — and standing once again as a proud engine of shipbuilding.
Crucially, we are preparing to build ships here — for the first time in Sunderland since 1988. In a city once defined by its shipyards, this marks more than just a return to form; it is a return of identity. We are proud to help bring that history back to where it belongs, and to carry it forward with new energy and purpose.
Though not open to the public, the shipyard is being developed with the future in mind. We aim to establish apprenticeship programs to pass on traditional skills to the next generation, and we are working toward becoming as sustainable as possible in our operations and materials.
The Graving Dock
When we began, the graving dock was completely derelict — a vast, forgotten space buried under 60 tonnes of silt and debris. Over six painstaking weeks, we cleared it by hand to protect the original granite block floor from damage. It was slow, difficult work — but essential to preserve the dock’s historical integrity.
We refurbished all 72 of the original handrails that run the length of the dock and brought the old capstans back to working condition, carefully restoring them to full functionality.
The most technically demanding task was restoring the caisson gate — the critical barrier that seals the dock from the water. Every pump had been worn out, and the sluice gates had to be refitted from scratch. These complex mechanisms had sat unused for nearly a decade, with crucial components missing or damaged beyond use.
Inside the pump room, we took on the full overhaul of the dock’s three original pumps. These machines are responsible for removing almost 12,000 cubic meters of water every time the dock is drained. Rebuilding them involved sourcing rare parts, fabricating replacements, and restoring the entire system to operational condition. Today, all three pumps are fully functional — capable of emptying the flooded dock in just four hours.
The graving dock is now fully operational — not as a relic, but as a working piece of maritime infrastructure. Its restoration represents more than the return of a facility; it marks the beginning of a new chapter for shipbuilding in Sunderland.
The Fabrication Shed
Robust, functional, and filled with purpose, the Fabrication Shed is where raw materials become refined structures. Here, metalwork, outfitting, and structural builds come together under one roof — enabling us to manage even the most complex fabrication work in-house.
With modern tooling and traditional techniques working side by side, the shed is a space where strength meets precision, supporting the hands-on side of our restoration and construction philosophy.
Gladstone House
Originally the shipyard’s pumphouse, Gladstone House has been carefully reimagined as our forthcoming design and naval architecture studio. This unique space blends industrial heritage with modern capability, offering a creative environment where engineering insight meets inspired design.
Once responsible for controlling the dock’s water levels, Gladstone House will soon house the minds responsible for shaping our future vessels — a poetic continuation of its original role in the life of the yard.