THE 'stern section' of a new polar research ship named after Sir David Attenborough is being transported to Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead as its construction continues.

The £200m vessel has been commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is in the largest commercial shipbuilding project in the country in 30 years.

The 899 tonne steel block (known as Block 10) is the equivalent weight of 71 London double decker buses. 

More than 23 meters long and 24 meters wide it is a major engineering challenge and significant milestone in the build. It is being transported by barge from Hebburn-based shipyard A&P Tyne (Newcastle) to Wirral.

This 'load-out' operation is the outcome of a collaboration between Cammell Laird and A&P Group.

John Syvret CBE, chief executive of Cammell Laird and A&P Group said: "The construction of the blocks by the A&P Group, as a contractor to Cammell Laird, is a tremendous showcase for British shipbuilding and engineering.

"Whilst both organisations are fierce competitors who very much 'compete where they must', they also on an arm's length commercial basis 'co-operate where they can'.

"The RRS Sir David Attenborough ship build contract facilitates this cooperation where positive commercial benefits have been achieved.

"By investing in UK shipyards, and encouraging shipyards to work together, the UK can dramatically ramp up the number of ships it builds, converts and repairs, for the commercial and naval sectors at home and abroad.

"The impact on job and wealth creation would, in turn, be massive and investment could be ploughed into young people, skills, facilities and communities."

British Antarctic Survey's director of Operations, Tim Stockings said: "We're really excited at seeing our new ship RRS Sir David Attenborough taking shape.

"The ship represents an important partnership with UK industry to deliver world leading science for the UK and beyond.

"We cannot wait to take delivery of this fantastic ship.”

Sir David attended a special keel laying ceremony hailing the start of the vessel's construction in October.

Asked about the importance of the work likely to be carried out by the ship, he said at the time: "It is the research that comes from the sort of vessel which this is that is important, and you might not think that way down in the Antarctic has got that much to do with us, but in point of fact a lot of weather is generated from down there and it was research that was done down there in the Antarctic which was responsible for discovering the hole in the ozone layer.

"And it was that research that brought the world's attention to the danger, and brought scientists together to figure out how to fix it, and nations together to fix it as we have done now."