Williams Shipping is happy to welcome “Willsupport” to its workboat fleet. The vessel immediately started work at our Pembroke base and further expands our capabilities and commitment to servicing the marine industry in this region.

The vessel

Willsupport is a Meercat RT18 workboat with excellent cargo capabilities. She is a twin screw vessel with 560hp. She has a large working deck, 2 x 45t/m cranes, a 10t deck winch and deck capacity of 44 tonnes.

The vessel was purchased in NW Scotland and made the voyage down to Williams Shipping Pembroke where our west coast marine division is based.

Commitment to Wales marine industry

The multi-purpose workboat is extremely versatile with a very shallow draft making her suitable for a range of tasks including those with draft restrictions. After adding Willfreedom earlier this year, we were able to transfer our fast passenger launch Willfetch to Pembroke. Now, adding a third multicat type workboat further expands our capabilities in the region. A vessel like Willsupport is excellent for large construction projects, dive support, harbor maintenance, and aquaculture projects.

Aptly named, Willsupport, she will be used for barge support, laying and/or repairing buoys, cargo transfer, civil engineering support and support to the renewables energy projects in the region. All of this further cements our commitment to Milford Haven after signing a 15-year lease earlier in 2022.

“Willsupport further expands our fleet and opens up a new range of opportunities for both Williams Shipping and the Port of Milford Haven,” said managing director Philip Williams. He continues “We are committed to supporting the renewables industry in and around the Port of Milford Haven so we wanted to add a versatile workboat capable with large deck capacity and two hydraulic cranes. Our marine team is looking forward to seeing the Willsupport in action serving our customers.”

– Philip Williams, Managing Director of Williams Shipping

Williams Shipping is a family business established by George Williams in 1894, now run by the fourth and fifth generations of the Williams family. George converted an ex-Royal Navy pinnace into a sailing barge and carried loads such as building materials and grain across the south coast of England and to the Isle of Wight. As marine and transport industries have evolved the company has developed alongside, supporting growth, and creating marine and logistics solutions at every stage.