Urgent investment needed to secure future of Ferguson Marine, MSPs warn
Holyrood's Public Audit Committee highlighted multiple and repeated failings at the Port Glasgow site, including leadership and board instability, inadequate internal audits, serious weaknesses in contractor oversight, and governance failures around exit packages for senior staff.
MSPs found these issues, along with delays and extremely high cost overruns in the building of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, have caused significant reputational damage to the yard.
The committee said urgent investment is now needed to make sure it can be competitive once again. PA Media The report highlighted issues with leadership at the shipyard (Jane Barlow/PA).
The Scottish Government bought Ferguson Marine in 2019 after it was placed into administration.
But it has had problems ever since, with the building of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa years behind schedule and multiple times over budget.
The two ships, which were meant to be delivered in 2018, will now cost an estimated £460 million – up from the original price tag of £97 million.
The Glen Sannox set sail near the end of last year but the Glen Rosa has been delayed again until early 2026.
The Public Audit Committee has expressed serious concern over the increased cost and further delay to the second ferry.
It has now called on the Scottish Government to give urgent clarification about where the additional funds are coming from. PA Media Ferguson Marine was brought into public ownership in 2019 (Andrew Milligan/PA).
It expressed concerns about the yard not having any further orders lined up beyond its current contract to deliver the Glen Rosa.
The report said the organisation has failed to meet the standards expected of a publicly funded body and has called on the Government to urgently improve its oversight to address some of the longstanding weaknesses at the yard.
Labour MSP Richard Leonard, the committee's convener, said: 'It is clear to the Public Audit Committee that there has been a long-standing weakness in the management, governance and financial sustainability of this yard.
'That there are currently no further orders raises significant concerns for us about the future of the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde and its workforce.
'This is a state-owned yard and the Scottish Government must do more to ensure that not only is its future secure, but that the MV Glen Rosa can be delivered as soon as possible. PA Media Labour MSP Richard Leonard raised concerns about the yard having no future orders (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA).
'There has to be better oversight and governance of the work that is ongoing.'
Mr Leonard said the committee believes the yard can improve and become competitive again.
He said: 'There is no doubt that the yard has suffered significant reputational damage and that the workers at Ferguson Marine deserve better, the communities waiting for a new ferry deserve better, and the people of Scotland deserve better.
'But it doesn't have to be this way. Our committee believes that the yard can once again be competitive.
'There is no shortage of potential work. With investment, and better oversight, this yard which has a distinctive and proud history can have a distinguished and positive future.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government's decision to take Ferguson Marine into public ownership saved the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde.
'We are ensuring the long-term future of the yard and the workforce and will invest up to £14.2 million in the yard over the next two years in order to help it modernise and secure future business.
'Scottish ministers expressed their disappointment and frustration to the Board of FMPG at the confirmation of a further delay and increased estimated cost to deliver the Glen Rosa.
'They also made it clear to the yard's leadership that it must take immediate and sustained action to restore trust, enforce delivery discipline, and bring the project under control.
'This will be delivered alongside the development of the business's future commercial strategy, which is being spearheaded by a new CEO to enable Ferguson Marine to win new business in its target markets.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Subway poke fun at Donald Trump in social media post
In a new podcast interview, Trump praised the Scots as "great fighters" before saying that there are no subways in Scotland. (Image: Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) While on Pod Force One Podcast, Trump said: "The Scottish people are really amazing and they're great fighters too, that's why England sort of never... Braveheart, one of the great movies of all time, England had a hard time with Scotland they just couldn't quite tame them. "They're great people, no crime, you don't have crime, you don't have muggings, you don't have people getting hit over the head when they're not looking with a baseball bat. They're not pushed into a subway if they had them, which they don't. You wouldn't have them pushed into a subway." However, Glasgow is the only city in Scotland which has a subway system. The comments follow Trump's visits to his golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. He also had a meeting with the First Minister during his time in the country. (Image: Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Glasgow Subway have since hit back at Trump for his false claims. Taking to Instagram, they wrote: "Sorry Mr President, we've been here since 1896. My Glasgow, My Subway." People have bee quick to applaud Glasgow Subway for the post. One person said: "I love you, Glasgow Subway page." Another said: "Fact checked by Glasgow Subway is wild."
Glasgow Times
12 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Renewables and fossil fuels not ‘either-or', says Reeves after Trump comments
On a visit to Lossiemouth on the North Sea coast in Moray, the Chancellor described oil and gas as 'incredibly important for the UK and our energy security'. Her appearance in Scotland followed a five-day visit from the US president, who called on the UK Government to 'incentivise the drillers, fast'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said 'oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come' (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'North Sea oil is a treasure chest for the United Kingdom. 'The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.' Asked whether she would 'unlock' the 'treasure chest', Ms Reeves told the PA news agency: 'Oil and gas are incredibly important for the UK and our energy security. 'And oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come. 'It's why, alongside the private sector, we're investing in carbon capture and storage, which is absolutely essential for supporting energy intensive industries. 'But it's not either-or. 'At the same time, we're investing in clean homegrown energy, including at Berwick Bank in Scotland, which will create thousands of new jobs and power millions of homes. 'And that's what we need to do to make sure that our economy has this energy security that we need, that we bring down bills and bring more good jobs to Scotland.' US President Donald Trump was critical of wind farms during his visit to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) Berwick Bank in the North Sea has this week received a green light from the Scottish Government. The proposed wind farm, off the coast of East Lothian, could add more than 4.1 gigawatts of capacity, which according to developer SSE Renewables is enough electricity to power more than six million homes annually. But Mr Trump criticised existing wind farms during his visit, when he said: 'When we go to Aberdeen, you'll see some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen, the height of a 50-storey building.' Gesturing with his hands, he added: 'You can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big.' Conservative shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling for a review of policies affecting the oil and gas industry. 'As President Trump has said, the UK's 'very high' tax on oil and gas companies is a deterrent to investment,' he wrote. Following his flying visit to Aberdeenshire with President Trump earlier this week, I've written to the Prime Minister urging him to heed the calls of all those he met on the EPL, overturn ban on licenses, ensure a future for our region & secure Britain's energy 👇 — Andrew Bowie (@AndrewBowie_MP) August 1, 2025 'The extension of the energy profits levy (EPL), coupled with uncertainty around future licensing and investment signals, has created a climate of instability that threatens jobs, innovation and the region's economic resilience. 'President Donald Trump's remarks during your visit – calling Aberdeen the 'oil capital of Europe' and urging the UK to 'bring it back' – reflect a sentiment shared by many in the region. 'May I urge you to consider the president's call to 'incentivise' domestic production of hydrocarbons? 'Oil and gas still have a vital role to play in our energy mix and economic future; British people would rather see the UK benefit from domestic exploration and drilling than import more from Norway and Qatar.' The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP added: 'Will you urgently call a meeting in Downing Street to conduct the review in partnership with industry leaders, our world-leading supply chain business, and the local workforce to ensure a coherent and sustainable path forward?'
The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Renewables and fossil fuels not ‘either-or', says Reeves after Trump comments
Her appearance in Scotland followed a five-day visit from the US president, who called on the UK Government to 'incentivise the drillers, fast'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said 'oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come' (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'North Sea oil is a treasure chest for the United Kingdom. 'The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.' Asked whether she would 'unlock' the 'treasure chest', Ms Reeves told the PA news agency: 'Oil and gas are incredibly important for the UK and our energy security. 'And oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come. 'It's why, alongside the private sector, we're investing in carbon capture and storage, which is absolutely essential for supporting energy intensive industries. 'But it's not either-or. 'At the same time, we're investing in clean homegrown energy, including at Berwick Bank in Scotland, which will create thousands of new jobs and power millions of homes. 'And that's what we need to do to make sure that our economy has this energy security that we need, that we bring down bills and bring more good jobs to Scotland.' US President Donald Trump was critical of wind farms during his visit to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) Berwick Bank in the North Sea has this week received a green light from the Scottish Government. The proposed wind farm, off the coast of East Lothian, could add more than 4.1 gigawatts of capacity, which according to developer SSE Renewables is enough electricity to power more than six million homes annually. But Mr Trump criticised existing wind farms during his visit, when he said: 'When we go to Aberdeen, you'll see some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen, the height of a 50-storey building.' Gesturing with his hands, he added: 'You can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big.' Conservative shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling for a review of policies affecting the oil and gas industry. 'As President Trump has said, the UK's 'very high' tax on oil and gas companies is a deterrent to investment,' he wrote. Following his flying visit to Aberdeenshire with President Trump earlier this week, I've written to the Prime Minister urging him to heed the calls of all those he met on the EPL, overturn ban on licenses, ensure a future for our region & secure Britain's energy 👇 — Andrew Bowie (@AndrewBowie_MP) August 1, 2025 'The extension of the energy profits levy (EPL), coupled with uncertainty around future licensing and investment signals, has created a climate of instability that threatens jobs, innovation and the region's economic resilience. 'President Donald Trump's remarks during your visit – calling Aberdeen the 'oil capital of Europe' and urging the UK to 'bring it back' – reflect a sentiment shared by many in the region. 'May I urge you to consider the president's call to 'incentivise' domestic production of hydrocarbons? 'Oil and gas still have a vital role to play in our energy mix and economic future; British people would rather see the UK benefit from domestic exploration and drilling than import more from Norway and Qatar.' The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP added: 'Will you urgently call a meeting in Downing Street to conduct the review in partnership with industry leaders, our world-leading supply chain business, and the local workforce to ensure a coherent and sustainable path forward?'
