HMNB Portsmouth

Overview

HM Naval Base Portsmouth, one of the Royal Navy’s three UK operating bases, is steeped in naval history and home to two-thirds of the surface fleet. With the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the base required new berthing facilities to accommodate these 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers. We were engaged to manage the design and construction of these critical works within a highly sensitive and historic setting.

The Challenge

The project involved demolishing ageing jetties and constructing modern berthing facilities within the historic dockyard—home to one of the world’s oldest dry docks, a scheduled ancient monument. The challenge lay in balancing the operational demands of the new carriers with the strict conservation requirements of English Heritage, all while delivering on time and within budget for the Ministry of Defence.

Our Approach

We provided decisive leadership and stakeholder management throughout the programme by:

• Consulting with English Heritage to agree design and construction requirements.

• Establishing and directing a multi-disciplinary professional team to prepare the Design Brief.

• Representing and counselling stakeholders to align cultural, operational, and heritage priorities.

• Administering and negotiating the £25 million construction contract, ensuring compliance and progress.

The Outcome

The new berthing facilities were delivered to the full satisfaction of the Ministry of Defence and English Heritage. The project was completed seven weeks ahead of schedule, and the final account was settled within budget—an outcome that balanced heritage preservation with the operational readiness of the Royal Navy’s most advanced carriers.