Gibdock Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Gibdock, Gibraltar’s premier shipyard for naval and government vessels, successfully hosted an exclusive Defence Ship Repair Event at the House of Commons last night, bringing together key stakeholders from Government, industry, and the defence sector. 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 Defence Procurement, Tan Dhesi, Chairman of the House of Commons’ Defence 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. Attendees heard insights The necessity of secure and reliable repair infrastructure for defence and security. Gibdock’s expertise in servicing naval, auxiliary, and commercial vessels. Opportunities for enhanced collaboration and partnerships within the sector. UK’s naval and commercial maritime Speakers highlighted Gibdock’s efficiency, strategic importance, and potential for further growth in supporting the UK’s naval and commercial maritime needs. "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,” Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement. How Gibdock pulled together "Gibdock is a fantastic, profitable, efficient shipyard that can bring a lot to UK defence,” Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defence 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 organisation. With a shortage of docks and facilities in this country, pressure will come on, and Gibdock will be very important,” Lord West, former First Sea Lord. Merchant and naval shipping "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,” Alan Donnelly, Chair of Gibdock’s Advisory Board. High-quality ship repair services Gibdock’s facilities represent a 23% increase in the power of UK commercial dry docks utilised by the MOD Gibdock’s facilities represent a 23% increase in the capacity of UK commercial dry docks utilised by the MOD now. With its long-standing reputation for excellence, Gibdock is committed to supporting the UK’s defence 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. Commercial and defence maritime sectors The shipyard has implemented state-of-the-art systems that enhance productivity, maintain safety excellence, and optimise project timelines, with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation. As a pioneering maritime hub strategically located at the gateway to the Mediterranean, – with top-tier health & safety standards, a highly skilled workforce, and a commitment to modernisation – Gibdock is an important player in the commercial and defence maritime sectors, and is providing vital support to the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and to NATO partners. Commitment to excellence in health & safety Health & Safety remain at the forefront of Gibdock’s operational philosophy 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 programmes 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, 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 Gibdock provides a unique advantage for vessels operating in the region 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 defence 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 Defence Industrial Strategy. Modern sustainability initiatives and cutting-edge engineering solutions mean Gibdock is set to remain a centre of excellence for ship maintenance and repair for years to come.

Gibdock has announced the launch of Gibdock Yachting as a dedicated division focusing on a key area of business growth for the Gibraltar ship repair and maintenance yard. Gibdock Yachting will build on Gibdock’s long-standing expertise in maintaining and refitting superyachts. It will also work in a strategic partnership with BWA Yachting - the world’s largest superyacht agency and yachting services provider – to communicate the yard’s reputation for high quality and on-time redelivery. Routine care and certification “Gibdock Yachting will bring unparalleled dedication and professionalism to every project, ranging from routine maintenance and certification dockings to large-scale refits, offering yacht managers and owners the quality of work and time management service levels available to a top-class repair yard,” said John Barnard, Commercial Director at Gibdock. He adds, “Our experienced and knowledgeable team of Ships Managers routinely plan for delivery of complex works on schedule and on budget. Each project is personalised to the clients’ needs, and executed with precision and efficiency, with communication as the backbone of all assignments.” Superyacht service All-in-one solutions that are tailored to meet every superyacht service need Temperate weather that supports year-round work, proximity to yachting hubs and a location at the gateway to the Mediterranean are 'natural' advantages, not least for vessels switching seasonally between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, added Barnard. John Barnard continues, “Customers also benefit from excellent transport connections, including an international airport 15 minutes from the docks.” Working together, Gibdock Yachting and BWA Yachting will develop comprehensive, all-in-one solutions that are tailored to meet every superyacht service need. Demands of managing modern superyachts Operating through over 90 owned agencies across more than 25 countries, BWA Yachting supports captains, managers, and crew by streamlining operations and meeting the growing demands of managing modern superyachts. Gibdock Yachting offers a full range of expertise to fully service super yachts, including: topsides and underwater coating; shaft, rudder and propeller works; propulsion systems maintenance works; and main engine overhaul to name a few. It also has an extensive network of specialised sub-contractors available to undertake interior refurbishment, electrical, and communications systems work.

Gibdock Shipyard and Armada Technologies Ltd. are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the integration of Armada's proprietary air lubrication system, the Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), into vessels serviced by Gibdock. This agreement marks a significant step towards enhancing energy efficiency and reducing harmful emissions in the maritime industry. Innovative PALS System The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both organisations to provide more energy-efficient solutions for vessels.  Armada Technologies, known for its innovative PALS System, which reduces fuel consumption and operating costs, will work closely with Gibdock to explore the business opportunities and technical feasibilities of installing the system on vessels being repaired by Gibdock. Installations of PALS Gibdock and Armada Technologies jointly explore structures of PALS on vessels According to the terms of the MoU, Gibdock and Armada Technologies will jointly explore potential installations of PALS on vessels, under licence from Armada Technologies. This cooperation includes technical and commercial support from Armada to ensure successful implementation.  "Signing this MoU is a significant milestone in our mission to promote sustainable shipping practices," said Simon Gillett, CEO of Balaena Ltd, Gibdock’s owners. Second-generation system Simon Gillett added: "We are excited to collaborate with Armada Technologies to continue to bring innovative, energy-efficient solutions to our clients." Armada Technologies' CEO, Alex Routledge, stated: "PALS has the potential to transform the way vessels operate, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective by using less fuel. We look forward to working with Gibdock to offer our second-generation system to more vessels."