Hi Folks
DaveB wrote:I love the way they build ships in different dockyards these days then assemble all the bits.
Can this really be more cost effective than giving the lot to one shipyard though
Yes its very much cheaper.
Lots of firms compete financially for small work packages.
Each has a strict contractual liability.
They only need attract a small number of personnel to supplement their core workforce.
Generally drawn from within their own locale,
without a major influx of contractors, which adds accomodation costs.
DaveB wrote:I guess it's easier to keep lots of small workforces employed.
It's not so much keeping small workforces employed.
Its more about
not putting all your eggs in one basket,
then potentially being held to ransom
by either the company, through -
- Project design delays, construction personnel with no tasks.
- Insufficient local personnel, requires external contractors.
- Inability to attract personnel, unattractive rates.
all of which increase the wage bill.
or the workforce itself - through industrial action.
Contracts have fixed deadlines,
after which penalties are incurred.
As deadlines draw closer,
the more work outstanding,
the more personnel you need to throw at the contract.
After the LPD debacle,
requiring up to 600 contractors on day rates for ~5 months,
and the inability to attract personnel during Astute build,
BAE Systems Barrow pulled out of the construction phase.
Garry Russell wrote:they have to wait unitil enough is built
to be much, much cheaper to carry on......
before they cancel it
Gary -
AIUI
The cheaper to cancel gate was passed in late 2007.
i.e. Before the contracts to build were signed in May 2008.
Due to design, contractual liability, and long lead component costs.
To put some perspective on this -
For both vessels
the total cost of steelwork materials is £65M
which is only
0.017% of the project's cost.
HTH
ATB
Paul
Still.. it does seem an odd way to build a ship! 
