Excellence in Galvanizing
Wessex Galvanizers is celebrating after being awarded a subcontract to assist in the production of two of the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy.
The plant will galvanize steel pipework which will be used in the construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, a project currently being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.
The 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers, that will each be almost three times the length of a football pitch, are due to be handed over to the Ministry of Defence in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and will be deployed worldwide for armed forces’ operations, including the support of war efforts and the provision of disaster relief.
The Eastleigh-based company was appointed by BAE Systems to provide its expert galvanizing service across the entire project, which will involve the steel pipework being dipped in molten zinc at temperatures of up to 450°C in order to protect the metal from corrosion.
Richard Whiddett, Sales Manager at Wessex Galvanizers, commented: “The team here is absolutely delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project and in being given the opportunity to play a part in the history of the UK Armed Forces.
"The galvanizing of the steel used to produce these two fantastic aircraft carriers is vital because seawater is an extremely corrosive environment and this will help protect the ships for many, many years to come. We are really excited about the prospect of working alongside BAE Systems on this project, and can’t wait to see the finished result.”