Shipyard in Northern Ireland rescued

Northern Ireland shipyard Harland and Wolff has been sold by owner Dolphin Drilling to energy infrastructure company InfraStrata for 6 million pounds (US$7.3 million), saving Harland and Wolff from closure. Harland and Wolff went into financial administration in August, putting about 120 jobs at risk. Harland and Wolff's multi-purpose fabrication yard, quaysides and docking facilities are ideally suited for the energy infrastructure industry and the company's projects, InfraStrata said. All 79 workers who did not accept voluntary redundancy earlier in the year will be retained, the company said. "Harland and Wolff is a landmark asset and its reputation as one of the finest multi-purpose fabrication facilities in Europe is testament to its highly skilled team in Belfast," InfraStrata Chief Executive John Wood said.