A Dorset company has been awarded the lion’s share of an £18m contract to support and maintain domestic equipment fitted to Royal Navy ships and submarines.

Southern Contracts will support the availability and reliability of galley and laundry equipment onboard the fleet, ensuring it is always ready to deploy anywhere in the world.

The work is for at least the next ten years.

The family run company, which is now in its third generation, has won the work through a further contract with Babcock International.

The engineering services giant has secured an agreement with the Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support for the Asset Availability Service (AAS).

Babcock will be working with Southern Contracts over the course of the programme, building on its already strong relationship.

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The Bournemouth-based firm will carry out the majority of the work.

Richard Drake, Managing Director of Babcock’s Defence Systems Technology business, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured this award.

“The Babcock team has played a vital role in maintaining domestic assets for this customer over the last 15 years.

“We are delighted that this agreement has not only continued, but grown.”

Hugh Elphinstone, pictured left, Director of Southern Contracts said: “We look forward to continuing to deliver a gold standard of service to Babcock over the next ten years – and beyond.”

Southern Contracts was founded in 1964 and is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of industrial laundry, catering and commercial cleaning equipment.

It was originally formed to supply and maintain commercial special voltage floor care and commercial laundry equipment required by the shipping industry.

The business has since become a global supplier to the marine and offshore industries.

Apart from the Royal Navy, other major clients include Carnival Corporation, Saga Shipping, Saga Cruises, Shell International Trading as well as offshore platforms.

Southern Contracts also supplies commercial washing machines to a range of public and private sector clients in the south of England including leisure, nursing and care sectors.

The business employs about 20 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £6m.

• Southern Contracts has just completed the first phase of galley refurbishment on P&O Ferries’ Pride of Hull.

The ship, which has a gross tonnage of 59,925, can accommodate 1,360 passengers with space for 250 cars and 400 freight vehicles.

She operates on the Hull to Rotterdam route.

Southern Contracts was appointed to replace the commercial kitchen appliances.

The first phase involved replacing the existing dishwashers and plumbing.

The next stage will be the ‘hot work’ which includes replacement of grills, ovens and fridges and installation of the hot serveries before, finally, providing onsite training.