New Janet Harvey Hall Opens in Glasgow, Ushering in a New Era for Clyde Shipbuilding

A major milestone in the future of UK naval shipbuilding has been reached with the opening of the Janet Harvey Hall, a cutting-edge ship build facility at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Govan, Glasgow. Named in honour of Janet Harvey, one of the many women who took on vital industrial roles during World War II, the hall represents both a tribute to the past and a significant investment in the future.

The opening ceremony celebrated this legacy, culminating in a ribbon-cutting led by Janet Harvey’s nieces alongside the Lord Provost of Glasgow. Their symbolic gesture officially launched the state-of-the-art facility, which is set to transform the way warships are constructed on the Clyde.

Measuring 170 metres long and 80 metres wide, the Janet Harvey Hall features two 100-tonne cranes and two 20-tonne cranes, and is large enough to accommodate the simultaneous construction of two Type 26 frigates. It marks the first time warships will be built entirely undercover in Glasgow, providing consistent working conditions year-round and helping to improve build schedules and quality.

Currently, the hall houses the construction of HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham, while HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff are undergoing outfitting at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun site further up the River Clyde. Meanwhile, steel has recently been cut for HMS Sheffield, continuing the momentum behind the Royal Navy’s eight-ship Type 26 programme.

“This facility marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow,” said Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business.

“The Janet Harvey Hall will enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come. It is a symbol of pride not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city.”

The hall is designed to accommodate up to 500 workers per shift and is a central component of BAE Systems’ £300 million investment in the digitalisation and modernisation of its Glasgow shipyards. The goal is to support more efficient ship assembly and delivery, reduce delays, and meet the evolving requirements of the Royal Navy.

Stephen Charlick, Type 26 Resident Project Officer at MoD DE&S, added:

“The Janet Harvey Hall brings an improved approach to warship assembly and outfit, driving quality throughout the build. This supports timely delivery of the Type 26 frigates, ensuring the Royal Navy receives the cutting-edge capability it needs to meet global threats.”

As a symbol of technological advancement and industrial heritage, the Janet Harvey Hall signals a bold future for naval manufacturing on the Clyde—reaffirming Glasgow’s historic place at the heart of British shipbuilding.