Norco supplies composite hulls for police patrol vessels

Norco Composites & GRP has been selected by Marine Specialised Technology Group (MST) as a key supplier in the delivery of 18 new high-speed patrol vessels for the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and Gibraltar Defence Police. This multi-year project, valued at £36 million, forms part of the Ministry of Defence’s modernisation programme to enhance maritime security around key naval infrastructure.

Norco was contracted to manufacture the composite hulls and superstructures for each of the 15m patrol boats, supporting MST’s final assembly and outfitting process. This long-term collaboration illustrates Norco’s capability to deliver precision-engineered composite solutions to the highest defence standards.

MST required a reliable partner to supply large, lightweight composite structures that could meet stringent performance, weight, and durability requirements. The vessels are designed to patrol naval dockyards and coastal areas, requiring exceptional speed, stability, and resilience in demanding maritime conditions. Each patrol craft needed a fully moulded hull and wheelhouse structure capable of supporting complex systems integration, while maintaining strict weight limits to ensure optimal performance.

Consistent quality
Norco’s Composites & GRP division, based in Poole, Dorset, led the delivery of the composite structures. Key deliverables included: bespoke mould tools for the 15m patrol hull and superstructure; resin-infused GRP hulls, wheelhouses, bulkheads, and decks; precision engineering to meet tight weight tolerances and structural specifications; modular structures optimised for MST’s streamlined assembly process; close working relationships with the customer and surveyor to ensure the quality; as welll as using advanced vacuum infusion techniques, Norco produced each vessel hull with consistent quality, minimising resin waste and ensuring superior strength-to-weight performance.

Early engagement with MST and BMT (the projects design partner) allowed Norco to support the design for manufacture process, ensuring efficient, repeatable builds across all 18 vessels, while driving down cost and weight.

As Norco continues to supply composite structures for the remaining patrol craft, the project stands as a flagship example of British manufacturing excellence in the defence sector. Norca says that this collaboration reinforces its position as a trusted partner for large-scale marine composites and lays the foundation for future defence and security projects.