Healey has also confirmed funding for a ship to replace Cefas Endeavour, the UK government’s main fisheries and marine science research ship.
Operated by the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) the ship is based at Lowestoft in Suffolk.
Cefas Endeavour was launched in 2002 by the now nationalised Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow on the Clyde, and entered service the following year.
The firm could potentially bid to build the replacement as its size – expected to be up to 85m (279ft) – is well-suited to the yard’s capabilities.
But Ferguson’s is likely to face competition from other commercial yards such as Navantia and Cammell Laird.
Cefas Endeavour was a technically challenging ship, with exacting specifications for noise and vibration so that it would not disturb fish during survey work.
Still in active service after 20 years, its replacement is expected to be delivered in the early 2030s.
Healey also used his speech to announce that Rolls-Royce will invest an extra £300m into its British factories in Derby, in Bristol, in Glasgow and in Rotherham.
