MMS

What MMS does

MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd, founded in 1988 and headquartered at Alexandra Dock in Kingston upon Hull, is a privately held UK shipyard delivering ship repair, dry docking, conversion, refit, and new build services from a single Humber location with two dry docks, a 30x10x11 metre covered construction hall, propeller machining workshops, and a 24/7 mobile repair team. The core technical offering spans steelwork and aluminium fabrication, engineering and fitting, painting and coating (including ultra high pressure washing and grit blasting), ship carpentry, marine civils (quay fenders, pontoons, ladders), and — following the November 2024 acquisition of A. & E. Woodward (Hull) Ltd — propeller repair, refurbishment, and new propeller supply. The new build portfolio includes the Envirocat range of all-electric pollution control vessels (Eco 8.5, Harbour, and Marina models), a 26 metre aluminium offshore wind support catamaran built to DNV class, 17.5 metre trawler yachts, and turn-key fishing vessels.

MMS makes money through custom, fixed-price quotations against each repair, conversion, or new build engagement, with voyage and port repair work billed on an emergency 24/7 basis and emergent scope only undertaken on written authorisation from the vessel representative. Revenue is generated horizontally across cargo, offshore energy, dredging, fishing, tanker, ferry, and tug operator segments — a fleet of more than 700 named vessels has passed through the yard — with go-to-market driven by shipyard reputation, repeat shipowner relationships, and a dedicated shipyard manager assigned per vessel. The firm holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, Lloyd's Register coded welding and steel plate approvals, and DNV classification capability. Recent strategic positioning has pivoted toward maritime decarbonization through the GT AirWing rigid sail retrofit (first UK installation, January 2025) and the all-electric Envirocat pollution control range.

Name

MMS

Legal name

MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co. Ltd

Website

https://mms-shiprepair.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd is a privately held Hull-based UK shipyard providing in-house ship repair, dry docking, conversion, fabrication, propeller services, and new build vessels to ship owners across cargo, offshore, fishing, tanker, ferry, and tug segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston upon Hull

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ship Repair Services: Dry docking and repair services for vessels of all sizes including cargo ships, offshore vessels, dredgers, fishing boats, tankers, ferries, tugs, and workboats. Services include steelwork, fabrication, engineering, painting, coating, carpentry, and propeller work performed by time-served tradesmen.
2. Vessel Conversion: Major conversion projects including vessel lengthening, fitting additional accommodation units, extra ferry car decks, and specialized conversions such as the MMS Off-Roader barge conversion and GT AirWing sail installation.
3. New Build Vessels: Construction of purpose-built vessels including pollution control vessels (Envirocat series), offshore support vessels (e.g., 26m aluminium catamaran), trawler yachts, and fishing vessels to customer specifications and classification standards.
4. Propeller and Propulsion Services: Propeller repair, refurbishment, and new propeller supply. Services include machining, welding, and classification-approved procedures for fixed blade propellers and CPP blades. Acquired Woodwards Propellers assets in November 2024.
5. Voyage and Port Repairs: Mobile repair team available 24/7 to attend vessels at any ports. Includes emergency dry dockings with quick turnaround capability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

MMS provides a complete one-stop shop for ship owners covering ship repair, dry docking, conversion, refit, and new build services. All work is performed in-house at the Alexandra Dock facility in Hull by directly employed time-served tradesmen across steelwork, fabrication, engineering, fitting, painting, coating, carpentry, propeller services, and marine civils. The company also constructs purpose-built vessels including the Envirocat range of pollution control vessels, offshore support catamarans, trawler yachts, and fishing vessels.

Product overview

MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd is The Humber's premier shipyard offering a comprehensive one stop shop for ship owners. The core offering consists of integrated ship repair, dry docking, conversion, and refit services performed entirely in-house by time-served tradesmen. The company operates two dry docks and provides specialist services including steelwork and fabrication, engineering and fitting, painting and coating, carpentry, and marine civils. The new build portfolio includes the Envirocat range of all-electric pollution control vessels (Eco 8.5, Harbour, Marina models), offshore support catamarans, trawler yachts, and fishing vessels. Following the November 2024 acquisition of Woodward's Propellers, the company now offers in-house propeller repairs and new propeller supply, completing the integrated service offering. Key facilities include a 30x10x11 metre fully covered new build construction hall on rails.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Envirocat: All-electric eco vessel for pollution control, trash and floating plastic skimming. Includes Eco 8.5, Harbour, and Marina models.
• Woodwards Propellers
• MMS Workboats
• MMS Marine Civils

Products and services

• Ship Repair & Dry Dock Services Core ship repair and dry docking services providing complete vessel maintenance, repair, and refit solutions. The company has over 38 years of experience with over 1,200 dry dockings and 10,000 repair contracts completed. For ship owners and shipping companies with vessels of all sizes.
• Steelwork & Fabrication Marine fabrication services including collision damage repairs, hull lengthening, conversion and modifications, accommodation units, bespoke steel and aluminium fabrication, and sea fastenings. For ship owners requiring structural vessel work.
• Engineering & Fitting Engineering services including main engine and generator replacement, propeller and rudder refurbishment, tunnel thruster repairs, Voith propulsion repairs, side thruster installation, sea valve overhaul, and machining. For vessel operators requiring mechanical overhaul.
• Painting & Coating Surface preparation and coating services including high pressure fresh water washing (4,500-36,000 psi), ultra high pressure washing, mechanical disking, dry grit blasting, airless spray paint application, tank blasting and painting. For ship owners requiring hull and tank surface treatment.
• Carpentry Ship joinery and woodwork services including deck re-covering, accommodation upgrades, galley refurbishments, bunk rooms, bridge upgrades, deck head renewal, and manufacturing and fitting cabin furniture. For ship owners requiring interior and woodwork upgrades.
• Marine Civils (Fenders, Pontoons & Ladders) Marine infrastructure products including the Hull Ship Fender made from recycled aircraft tyres, D section fender replacement, heavy duty pontoons in Lloyds Grade A mild steel, and custom fabricated ladders and stairways. For port authorities, harbour operators, and marinas.
• Vessel Conversion Major vessel conversions including lengthening, fitting additional accommodation units, extra ferry car decks, and specialist modifications such as the GT AirWing rigid sail installation. For ship owners requiring vessel modifications and upgrades.
• Voyage & Port Repairs Mobile repair team available 24/7 to attend vessels at any ports, capable of carrying out repairs even while the ship is underway. For ship owners requiring emergency or in-port repair services.
• MMS Workboats & Harbour Support Services Multipurpose 10 metre workboat capable of tug operations (2.2 tonne bollard pull), line handling, safety stand-by vessel duties, and jetty/quay repairs. For port operators and harbour authorities.
• Other Services Additional services including electrical repairs and installation, tank cleaning (fresh water, ballast, oil), scaffolding (internal and external), mobile emergency response, and emergency dry dockings with 24 hour working service. For ship owners needing supplementary vessel support.
• Envirocat All-Electric Eco 8.5 Zero emissions all-electric pollution control vessel functioning as a trash and floating plastic skimmer. Built in marine grade aluminium with very low running costs of approximately £2-3 per hour. For port operators, harbour authorities, and marinas requiring eco-friendly water cleaning.
• Envirocat Harbour 9 metre multi-purpose pollution control vessel constructed in marine grade aluminium. Capable of plastic collection, oil removal from water surface, and general workboat duties. Weighs 5.5 tonnes, road transportable, can store up to 4 tonnes of waste oil. For port operators, harbour authorities, and marinas.
• Envirocat Marina 7 metre enclosed waters pollution control vessel in marine grade aluminium for collecting floating debris on water surface. Fully road transportable with scoop design for easy plastic removal. For marinas and enclosed waterway operators.
• Offshore Support Vessel (26m Aluminium Catamaran) Bespoke 26 metre aluminium catamaran designed by Incat Crowther to DNV Classification Approval for offshore wind support. Powered by twin 1350hp main engines, achieves speeds in excess of 25 knots fully loaded. For offshore wind operators and marine support companies.
• Trawler Yacht 17.5 metre vessel adaptable for recreational or workboat purposes. Recreational version built to HPI Verification Services requirements Category A Ocean, with accommodation for 6 passengers in 3 cabins, 2x 180hp main engines, fin stabilisers. Workboat version for survey duties including bird and marine mammal reviews. For private yacht buyers and survey companies.
• Fishing Vessels Turn-key package for building high quality fishing vessels to any classification standard requested. Fully backed by shipyard workshops and facilities with dedicated experienced build manager. For fishing companies and vessel owners.
• Woodwards Propellers Marine propulsion specialists providing propeller repairs, refurbishments, new propeller supply, propeller shaft repairs, stern gear, rudders, and AZOPOD/Voith propulsion services. Originally founded in 1908, now offering in-house propeller capabilities as part of the MMS one-stop shop. For vessel operators needing propeller and stern gear services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ dry dockings completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Rockabill Marine DesigncoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Rockabill Marine Design co-designed the Envirocat Eco 8.5 All-Electric pollution control vessel with MMS. The collaboration produced a zero emissions vessel with multi-role capability for trash and plastic skimming operations.
• DNVcoreTechnology or IntegrationDNV provided classification approval for the 26 metre aluminium catamaran built by MMS for offshore wind support. Classification approval ensures vessel meets maritime safety and quality standards.
• GT AirWingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGT AirWing collaborated with MMS as the first UK shipyard to assemble and fit the GT AirWing rigid sail on the vessel Vectis Progress for Carisbrooke Shipping in January 2025. MMS modified the forward deck structure with 20 tonnes of stiffening plate to hold the 50m high wing weighing 35 tonnes.
• Carisbrooke ShippingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarisbrooke Shipping owned the Vectis Progress vessel on which MMS installed the GT AirWing rigid sail in January 2025. This project positioned MMS as the only UK shipyard to manufacture, install, and fit an AirWing to a vessel.
• Lloyd's RegistercoreTechnology or IntegrationLloyd's Register provides classification society approvals for MMS welding procedures and steel plate supply. Steel plate is supplied to Lloyd's grade 'A' standard. MMS welders are Lloyd's coded for steel and aluminium fabrication.
• A. & E. Woodward (Hull) LtdflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIn November 2024, MMS acquired the assets of A. & E. Woodward (Hull) Ltd, acquiring CNC and manually driven machining equipment, stock materials, workshops, secure propeller storage, and the experienced engineering team. The company now trades as MMS t/as Woodwards Propellers.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Forth Ports: Forth Ports operates Scottish port facilities including Leith and Rosyth with ship repair capabilities, serving as a regional UK peer to MMS in commercial vessel maintenance and dry-docking.
• Associated British Ports (ABP): ABP is the UK's largest port operator with facilities at Hull (same port as MMS) including dry docks and repair berths, operating as a regional port-based competitor to MMS in Humber maritime services.

Broad incumbents

• Babcock International: Babcock operates the Rosyth and Devonport naval dockyards providing ship repair, refit, and marine engineering services, overlapping with MMS's commercial and potential defense customer base as a much larger UK incumbent.
• Palumbo Malta Shipyard: Palumbo operates a network of Mediterranean ship repair yards providing dry-docking, refit, and conversion services to commercial and cruise vessels, a broader incumbent in the same ship repair category as MMS.
• Damen Shiprepair: Damen operates a global network of ship repair yards across Europe offering dry-docking, conversion, and refit services at much larger scale than MMS, representing a broad incumbent competitor in the same ship repair category.

Direct peers

• Harland & Wolff: Harland & Wolff operates UK shipyards at Belfast and Methil providing ship repair, fabrication, and offshore structure services, competing with MMS in commercial vessel repair and conversion work across the UK and Ireland.
• A&P Group: A&P Group operates ship repair, conversion, and dry-docking facilities in Falmouth, UK, directly competing with MMS in the UK commercial vessel repair market with comparable service offerings across steelwork, fabrication, and refit.
• Cammell Laird: Cammell Laird is a Birkenhead-based UK shipyard offering ship repair, refit, and new build services to commercial and naval clients, the most direct UK peer to MMS given overlapping dry-dock repair capabilities and customer base.
• Detyens Shipyard: Detyens Shipyard is a US-based commercial ship repair facility on the East Coast providing dry-docking, steelwork, and conversion services, a direct international peer in the commercial ship repair category.

Emerging players

• Tersan Shipyard: Tersan is a Turkish shipyard providing new build, repair, and conversion services for commercial vessels including fishing and offshore, representing an emerging international competitor in markets MMS serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MMS