Workers continued the protest through Monday night and Tuesday morning
Workers at Harland and Wolff have continued a protest through the night following news that the business is up for sale.
Workers calling for the government to renationalise the company closed the shipyard’s gates on Monday.
The business’s Norwegian parent company is having serious financial problems.
On Monday night, workers said they had taken control of the site and established a rota to ensure their protest continues around the clock.
They said they would continue the protest until a solution is found.
On Tuesday, a UK government spokesperson said that the government has “every sympathy for the Harland and Wolff workers at a time of great personal uncertainty”.
They added: “We will work with partners in Northern Ireland and in Westminster to understand the situation and do all we can to support, but it is ultimately a commercial issue.
“The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, has had conversations with Invest NI and Ministers across Government as a matter of urgency.”
The Unite union said workers decided to take the action ahead of the expected arrival of administrators on Wednesday.
Trade unions have been hoping that the yard could benefit from plans to build more Royal Navy ships in the UK.
Analysis: BBC News NI Business Reporter Richard Morgan
More than a dozen H&W workers remain at the shipyard gates this morning after spending the night.
A shipping container has been moved outside to provide shelter.
They have vowed to stay here again tonight until steps are taken to protect their livelihoods.
Unions say the next 24 hours will be critical.
But now there is a risk it will not survive for long enough to benefit.
They have demanded Boris Johnson’s government renationalise the yard and save their jobs
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Workers closed the shipyard’s gates on Monday
The yard employs around 130 people, specialising in energy and marine engineering projects.
Harland and Wolff is one of Northern Ireland’s best known businesses and its two huge cranes dominate the east Belfast skyline.
It was founded in 1861 and at the height of production during World War Two employed around 35,000 people.
Its best known vessel is the Titanic, which was built at the yard between 1909 and 1911.
‘Here for the long haul’
Paul Beattie, who has worked for Harland and Wolff for more than 30 years, was on the picket line on Tuesday morning.
He told BBC Radio Ulster that workers “are here for the long haul.”
He added: “We sat back for too long and left it in the hands of the politicians and management within the company and now we are two days from closure.
“So we have decided to take action and try to force our politicians into a position where they are no longer hiding behind the fact that Stormont is not running.”
Gavin Robinson was down at the ship yard on Tuesday morning
DUP MP Gavin Robinson told BBC News NI that he “understands and shares the concerns” and he is trying to work towards a solution.
He said: “The next number of days are critical for the ship yard and we are working towards a solution so I understand entirely their frustrations.”
Mr Robinson added: “There have been talks with intended bidders- the people have a vision for this shipyard, the people want to see a renaissance in shipbuilding in Belfast.”