Rosyth finds place in list of global top 200 projects

Institution of Civil Engineers recognises dockyard’s role in transforming lives

Rosyth Dockyard has been named as one of the top 200 civil engineering projects which have helped transform people’s lives for the better.

It will now stand shoulder to shoulder with global engineering feats including New Orleans floodgates, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Shanghai Tower.

Nearer to home, the Forth replacement crossing project – now known as the Queensferry Crossing – and its sister bridges are also in the top 200.

The list was created to mark the 200th anniversary of the Institution of Civil Engineers. ICE is celebrating 200 inspirational and world-changing projects, past and present, from around the world throughout this year.

Already around 160 projects have been announced.

Nominated by ICE’s members and selected by an expert panel, the projects illustrate the breadth and depth of civil engineering’s impact.

Rosyth dockyard was built as a naval base for First World War battleships.

Now owned and operated by Babcock International, it opened in 1915 and played a large part in the success of Britain’s war effort, providing access to the battle zone of the North Sea.

Following its redevelopment after the Second World War it became an important part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, refitting and maintaining conventional and nuclear submarines.

Its most recent work saw it assemble the Royal Navy’s largest warships, the flagship aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales.

ICE Scotland director Sara Thiam said she was delighted to see another Scottish project join the list.

“It yet again highlights Scotland’s impressive track record for producing world-class engineers and infrastructure over the last 200 years,” she said.

She added that Rosyth demonstrated the long-term benefits civil engineering brought to society.

“It is a tribute to the enduring skills of civil engineers who created it and those responsible for its modification for continued use.”

Civil engineer Michael Murray, who worked there between 1987 and 2016, added: “Civil engineering has played a hugely important part in the Babcock Rosyth site over the last century.

“Engineering is in Babcock’s DNA and technology is at the core of its engineering skills and capabilities, from which it seeks to drive and deliver innovation in every aspect of its work.

“It is great to see how the facility has adapted over the years due to changing demand, and how it continues to do so today.”