Planning

Bute Dry Dock Repairs

LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

14 Nov 2025 at 12:55

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 15:14

Summary of the contracting process

The Welsh Government, acting as the buyer, is planning a procurement process for the repair of the historic Bute Dry Dock located in Cardiff Bay, United Kingdom. This project falls under the works industry category, with specific classifications including harbour equipment maintenance, dry dock construction, and preservation services of historical sites. The procurement is in the planning stage, with an expected contract period from 1st February 2026 to 31st March 2026. A market engagement notice detailing the optional site visit was published on 14th November 2025, with interested suppliers required to notify their intention to attend by 12th November 2025. The estimated budget for this undertaking is between £100,000 and £150,000, with further communication anticipated by 5th January 2026.

This tender presents a substantial growth opportunity for specialist marine contractors experienced in historical dock repairs. With an anticipated contract value up to £180,000, businesses experienced in welding, dock construction, and working on heritage structures stand to gain significant benefits. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a proven track record in safely handling complex marine refurbishments will be well-suited to compete for this opportunity. The project aims to ensure the dock's structural integrity for the next 10 to 20 years, providing potential for long-term business partnerships and engagement with the Welsh Government in the historic conservation sector.

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Notice Title

Bute Dry Dock Repairs

Notice Description

Bute Dock lies in Cardiff Bay and is a former operational dry dock, part of the extensive wider dockland that formed the largest coal exporting port in the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Constructed in 1884, it comprises a mass mortared stone dry basin and is connected to the larger Roath Basin/Roath Lock to the north. Water levels in the dock were controlled via a series of sluices, pumps and valves with a floatable steel caisson forming the dock gate, allowing ships to enter the dock when water levels were equalised and maintaining the water level difference between the two when the Bute Dock was emptied. Bute Dock has long since been disused, but the structure is largely intact and both the dock walls and the dock gate caisson are deemed to be of historic value and are consequently Grade II listed by Cadw. The dock is owned by the Welsh Government and is part of it's wider land holding in the Cardiff Bay Area. Today, Bute Dock is hydraulically 'open' to the impounded Cardiff Bay and has a permanent similar water level. Although the dock gate caisson is an historic structure, it continues to form an important function by maintaining the higher water level in Roath Basin/Roath Lock and prevents water leakage into the lower impounded bay. Welsh Government has commissioned a number of condition surveys of the structure which confirms the caisson to be in fair to poor overall condition with numerous defects noted. Scope of Works To safeguard the caisson in the short to medium term, Welsh Government is seeking an experienced specialist marine contractor to design and implement a series of repairs in accordance with the recommendations of the condition survey reports and under the terms and conditions of a Listed Building Consent, which is currently being sought. The repairs are likely to comprise cutting damaged and perforated sections of the caisson and/or welding of new steel 'patches', generally at or above the water line but which may extend below the water line. Working from temporary pontoons may be necessary and a specialised team with approved welding certificates will be required. Heavy cranes are expected to be needed to lift materials into place. The objective is to undertake sufficient refurbishment/repair work to safeguard the structure for the next 10 to 20 years in which time it is anticipated a permanent solution for the management and development of the historic dock will be implemented. Requirements The successful contractor will have extensive experience of planning, designing and undertaking similar repair and refurbishment work on historic dock structures and will have an impressive track record of managing health and safety in such challenging environments. A specialist labour team will be required with approved welding certificates and divers may also be needed.

Planning Information

OPTIONAL SITE VISIT There is an option to attend an escorted walkover of the site. Should suppliers be interested in attending the site visit, please send notification to george.walker@wsp.com by 12th November 2025. EXPECTED TIMESCALES It is currently expected that the work will be undertaken early in 2026 ANTICIPATED BUDGET Estimated Budget for the Works is £100-150k ADDITIONAL INFORMATON Please express an interest in this notice if you would be interested in bidding for a potential future tender for this opportunity. There is also an option to ask questions via this notice.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d574
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073966-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

45241400 - Dock construction work

45248200 - Dry docks construction work

45262680 - Welding

50246000 - Harbour equipment maintenance services

92522100 - Preservation services of historical sites

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Corporate Procurement Services
Contact Email
cpsprocurementadvice@gov.wales
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 3NQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL Wales

Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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