This petition exists for the explicit purpose of generating national and international support for the UK Government to compulsory purchase the former Pallion Shipyard in Sunderland. The reason? To take full advantage of the major opportunities the North Sea offshore industry (and wider afield) has to offer the maritime community and the UK economy. In addition, a reopened Pallion Shipyard also gives the UK greater naval and defence building capacity, thus reducing the unnecessary reliance on overseas shipyards.

Introduction and History

Sunderland exists because for 800 years it built, repaired and serviced ships to exacting standards. It was at the forefront of marine engineering and the town (as it was then) thrived and became globally famous for its exports. Today, the city is not even a shadow of its once great self.

The last remaining shipyard in the city, the Pallion Shipyard, still survives to this day, but it has been allowed to slowly deteriorate since its closure in January 1989. When officially opened in 1976, it was the world's largest and most efficient undercover, all-weather shipyard in the world. Even by the standards of other shipyards globally, it is still relatively modern despite its current condition.

Present Day

Its Greek owners purchased the shipyard from the UK Government (British Shipbuilders) in 1991 with an eye to restoring its capability, once the EU's 5 year, then increased to 10 year, moratorium ended in January 1999. But since then, the local government in Sunderland has created an unhealthy environment where reopening the shipyard has been prevented, despite multiple companies interested in doing so, due to ideological opposition over heavy engineering returning to the city. 

In November 2022, the Greek owners announced that the shipyard was to be converted into the world's largest water tank film studio. Although no further updates have been made public since then, with the news that the Crown Works Studios complex has been given the green light on the adjacent land, it is now all but certain that Pallion Shipyard Studios will follow. 

In early 2020, an organisation was set up to promote and seek buyers for the shipyard, so that it could be reinstated in order to take full advantage of the colossal offshore industry right on the city's doorstep. Since then, 4 serious buyers have come forward, but the owners and the local authorities have refused to engage in the process.

Petition Purpose

Therefore, the purpose of this petition is to request that the UK Government's National Shipbuilding Office, the civil service department tasked with realising the goals of the UK's shipbuilding strategy, to compulsory purchase the facility and subsequently pass it on to one of the many shipbuilding and ship repair companies who have been interested in purchasing it. 

Conclusion

Therefore, if you support the Pallion Shipyard in Sunderland being reopened to create well paid careers, jobs, trades, apprenticeships as well as new supply chains in the ever expanding offshore and maritime industries, then please sign and share this petition.

Thank you very much.