A HAMPSHIRE boatbuilder is creating 20 new jobs after clinching a major new order from the Middle East.
Halmatic, part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group, is to build 20 patrol boats for the Royal Oman Police Coastguard at its Porchester yard.
The Halmatic Cougar Enforcers are to be used for coastal patrol and interception duties along Oman's shoreline.
The contract is the first large overseas success for the Halmatic Cougar Alliance, launched last year to design, market and manufacture a range of ultra-fast patrol craft.
Halmatic, which already employs nearly 300 people, is now recruiting laminators, electricians, joiners and other tradesmen for the contract.
Mike Burnham, Halmatic's managing director, said: "We already had a busy workload and the latest order means that we now need to expand further our skilled workforce.''
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article