Balaena, the maritime engineering and shipbuilding group that owns the historic dry dock and dockyard facility in Gibraltar, Gibdock, and a shipyard in Padstow, Cornwall, today announced the acquisition of APCL Group, a leading British marine engineering company operating shipyards in Tyneside (A&P Tyne), Birkenhead (Cammell Laird) and Falmouth (A&P Falmouth and Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company).

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Balaena’s mission to expand and improve Britain’s maritime and naval shipbuilding and ship repair capability and capacity. Not only will the new enterprise provide the basis for increased support to UK Defence interests, and underpin the Government’s UK Industrial Strategy, but it will also offer one of the UK’s most comprehensive commercial ship repair and refit networks, serving operators in the offshore energy, cargo, cruise, and ferry sectors. The enlarged group will provide enhanced drydocking, hull fabrication, and life-extension services, reducing vessel downtime and strengthening Britain’s position as a competitive hub for global ship repair.

The integration of Balaena’s modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCL’s established infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth will create one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups – with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean. Together, under the one Balaena brand, they will provide a unified customer interface and flexible operational base, enabling Balaena to respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.

London 10 June 2026