Devonport Yachts
Devonport builds ships that have shaped history. For more than 400 years, Devonport has built, fitted and supported the fleet of the British Royal Navy - including some of the most highly-classified, cutting-edge vessels ever produced.
Today, Devonport is still making history, developing truly unique super yachts that draw on all our expertise in design, hull construction and fitting. No two Devonport yachts are the same. With a reputation for advanced technological innovation and absolute confidentiality, Devonport draws on its experience from the past, using the infrastructure of today, to help you create the yachts of tomorrow.
In June 2007, the DML Group was purchased by the Babcock International Group, the largest support provider to the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defense. This gives Devonport financial stability. Babcock has a turnover in excess of £900 million and has contracts and projects already placed for the next 10 years. What made Devonport such an attractive investment was their experience, expertise and proud heritage.
Devonport dockyard was commissioned by William of Orange in 1690. For generations, the dockyard was run by the Government and worked exclusively for the Royal Navy. But with the Navy's fleet changing and the ships built lasting for decades, it became clear that the dockyard no longer needed to dedicate itself solely to military work.
Instead, the decision was made to open up Devonport 's facility and the skills of its workforce to commercial organizations. Since 1990, Devonport has focused its attentions increasingly on the super yacht market, where their skills offer the most value. Early projects included refits and rebuilds of some of the world's most famous yachts, such as HMY Britannia (126 meters) and MY Talitha G (82.6 meters).
Following the signing of two new build contracts of 50 and 77 meters, the company strengthened its position with the acquisition of the highly respected Appledore shipyard. This not only consolidated Devonport's position as a leading Northern European shipyard, but also provided the additional skills, manpower and facilities for Devonport to implement a staggered build schedule, within which four superyachts between 70 and 120 meters can be at various stages of production at any one time.
Today Devonport Dockyard is a highly commercial operation, at the forefront of superyacht building - all in all, a very different place to the small yard which had been originally built on the orders of King William the Third three centuries ago.
