The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed upgrade works on a state of the art jetty in the Falkland Islands.
Geoff Robson, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Chief Operating Officer, officially opened the work upgrade in Mare Harbour, which will improve military capability in the Falkland Islands and improve life for personnel, recently.
The improvements to the roll on roll off jetty are part of a £19 million contract with VolkerStevin for design and construction.
The new facility will enable larger 20,000 tonne Point Class vessels to berth in the harbour, delivering up to 85% of the military supplies such as hardware, food, building materials and commercial freight needed on the Islands. The new berthing facilities on the jetty will allow goods to safely roll on and roll off from the Falkland Islands Resupply Ships (FIRS).
This contract is part of a £180 million overall investment by DIO to improve facilities on the Islands over the next 10 years. Additional works include improvements to the power station at Mount Pleasant Complex as well as new services accommodation at the 3 Remote Radar Heads on the Islands.
There are currently around 1,200 military and civilian personnel based in the Falklands supporting defensive air, naval and land assets, including RAF Typhoon aircraft, helicopters, Royal Navy patrol vessels and an Army infantry company.
David Graham, Deputy Head of International Projects at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said: “This new jetty will improve military capability in the Falklands as the previous harbour berth was unsuitable for the new Point Class ships.
“This significant investment by DIO will modernise defence infrastructure in the Falklands for years to come as well as enhancing life on the Island for our personnel and their families.”
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