Southampton's city council in the UK is considering its options following Palmer Johnson's decision to put its development of the former VT naval shipyard on hold.

The US-based builder recently shut down its operations in nearby Hythe — laying off 110 workers.

But Palmer Johnson president Mike Kelsey has told SB that his company intends to develop the VT yard once demand superyachts picks up.

According the Southern Daily Echo, a Palmer Johnson spokesman added: "If things go well Palmer Johnson could be back building yachts on the VT site within two years".

However, a number of UK-based marine operators have already expressed interest in the facility, which has a rare deep-water berth.

It had previously been forecast that Palmer Johnson's plans would add 800 new jobs to the local economy.


Superyacht Business, 25 August 2010