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Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future
It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard 'SHIP-SHAPE DEAL' Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCANDAL-hit Ferguson Marine is weighing up a bid to build two new ships for the Scottish Government in order to secure its future. Bosses at the nationalised shipyard have been alerted to the need for replacement marine protection and research vessels. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Bosses at Ferguson Marine are weighing up a bid to build two new ships in a bid to secure its future Credit: Alamy It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard, which is at risk of closure through a lack of fresh work. Ferguson chief financial officer David Dishon, pictured, said: 'We have registered our interest and await details of the tender before deciding whether or not to bid.' Ministers are looking to replace MRV Scotia, used to assess fish stocks, and MPV Minna, which combats illegal marine activity. Both were built by Ferguson in 1998 and 2003. We told last week how the yard has won work to build three structural units for a Type 26 Destroyer being assembled by BAE in Glasgow. Previous similar work has yielded around £7million. Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: 'The SNP's gross mismanagement since they took control of the yard leaves it at a clear disadvantage in any bidding process.' Government procurement quango CMAL recently handed a £175million seven-ship small ferries replacement contract to a yard in Poland. Ferguson, based in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, had bid for the work. It has no full vessel contracts after the second of two delayed Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, MV Glen Rosa, is delivered next year. Glen Rosa ferry finally launched from Ferguson Marine shipyard The cost of her and sister MV Glen Sannox has spiralled from £97million to around £400million. Lib Dem Scottish affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: 'A revolving door of well-paid executives has done little to turn around fortunes, while the SNP are handing contracts to Poland rather than supporting Clyde shipbuilding.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'MPV Minna and MRV Scotia are reaching the end of their operational lifespans. This early market engagement is part of a planned renewal programme. We are finalising specifications.'
STV News
09-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Ferguson Marine secures BAE Systems contract for HMS Birmingham work
Ferguson Marine has signed a contract with BAE Systems to fabricate three structural parts for HMS Birmingham as part of the Type 26 programme. Chiefs at the Scottish Government-owned shipyard in Port Glasgow say the contract is 'an important development' as they aim to secure new work. Steel cutting on the three components is expected to commence imminently with the shipyard ready to begin manufacturing. The Type 26 programme, currently being delivered by BAE Systems, will provide the Royal Navy with 'the most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability available', a statement read. Construction is underway for the first five of eight Type 26 frigates with the ships at various stages of build. Muckle Media Alan Quinn and David Dishon STV News Type 26 frigate HMS Cardiff leaving the Govan yards Each ship consists of nearly 60 structural units which are integrated at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard before entering the water and moving to the Scotstoun shipyard for systems testing and commissioning. Graeme Thomson, CEO of Ferguson Marine, said: 'This contract is a significant step for Ferguson Marine and will enable us to play a role in enhancing the UK's world class maritime capability. 'In recent years Ferguson Marine has been working with BAE Systems, and as the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde, we are uniquely positioned to act as an extension of the important work happening under the Type 26 programme. 'As we seek to add to our book of orders, this proves the ability of our skilled workforce to secure new business. We are committed to expanding our experience, with this representing an important opportunity to grow the skill of the younger members of our workforce, to win future commercial contracts in this and related markets.' It comes after a parliamentary report warned urgent investment is needed to secure Ferguson Marine shipyard's future. 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 Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, have caused significant reputational damage to the yard. iStock Glasgow, Scotland – Side view of the progress on a ship at a BAE Systems shipbuilding yard located in Govan on the River Clyde. The building of the ferries has run years behind schedule and multiple times over budget. The two ships, which were meant to be delivered in 2018, will now cost an estimated £460m – up from the original price tag of £97m. In April, the shipyard's financial officer David Dishon told ministers that a ten-year business strategy will be set out to plot its course for the future. In the meantime, Ferguson Marine said it is 'committed to continuing to develop its workforce and maintaining Clyde built skills' through its apprenticeship programme while progressing the delivery of Glen Rosa. Chiefs also confirmed plans to invest £14.2m in capital upgrades using Scottish Government funding to modernise infrastructure and equipment. STV News Ferguson Marine shipyard Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Naval Ships Business said: 'BAE Systems has a productive relationship with Ferguson Marine, who are a key supplier of structural steelwork on the Clyde and have built two units for the Type 26 programme. 'This award strengthens our relationship and their continued involvement in the programme.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'This contract award is a positive demonstration of the shipyard's capabilities, skills and ability to win work in a commercial playing field, and most importantly, the workers at Ferguson Marine. 'The Scottish Government's decision to take Ferguson Marine into public ownership saved the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde and we continue to ensure the long-term future of the Yard and the workforce, with investment of up to £14.2m in the yard over the next two years in order to help it modernise and secure further future business. 'Securing new business for the Ferguson Marine Yard has always been vital for the Scottish Government, which is why this contract is so welcome. I sincerely hope that the business's future commercial strategy, which is being spearheaded by a new CEO, will 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
Scotsman
03-05-2025
- Scotsman
Cause of Glen Sannox ferry hull crack revealed
Fault forced Glen Sannox out of service for repairs two months after debut Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Vibration in CalMac's brand new ferry Glen Sannox may have caused the crack in its hull, the operator has told The Scotsman. The fault in a weld seam forced the vessel out of service for two days for repairs in March, two months after being deployed on the route between Troon and Brodick in Arran. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Glen Sannox arriving in Brodick on its first official passenger sailing on January 13. Picture: John Devlin | John Devlin/The Scotsman CalMac said the 130mm (5in) 'minor' defect close to the waterline included a 25mm (1in) section that had let in a 'very small amount of water'. Holes were drilled at each end of the crack to prevent it expanding and the seam was re-welded. The Scottish Government firm, which is Britain's biggest ferry operator, said the defect was on the starboard [right] side of a machinery space near the starboard rudder. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ferry, which is CalMac's second largest with space for more than 850 passengers, was completed six-and-a-half years late in November by the Ferguson Marine shipyard. A CalMac spokeswoman said: 'Investigations have so far discovered vibration in this particular area of Glen Sannox, which may have caused the seam to crack. 'Mitigations are now in place for the vibration, which only occurs near where the crack appeared. 'Further investigation into the root cause of the vibration is underway and CalMac, [Scottish Government ferry owning firm] Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) and Ferguson Marine are working together on this. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is not uncommon to have an issue like this as a new vessel is brought into regular service.' CalMac has said such minor weld defects had been found in some of its other ferries, but none were in the three smaller vessels built by Ferguson Marine in the 2010s. Ferguson Marine chief financial officer David Dishon said in March: 'The welding on Glen Sannox was subject to rigorous checks at various points throughout the build and was signed off prior to handover by both Lloyds Register and Cmal. 'The quality of the welding and fabrication by the Ferguson's workforce was praised by Cmal in its inspections of the vessel during the construction process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are extremely proud of the quality of work we delivered on this and other vessels.' The fault forced the cancellation of sailings between Troon and Brodick in Arran, one of the company's busiest routes, when initially discovered. It came after the Glen Sannox was taken out of service for a week in February to replace parts in the anchor system. At the time the weld seam crack was revealed, Scottish Conservatives transport spokesperson Sue Webber described the fault as a 'hammer blow' to passengers, whom she said had been 'betrayed at every turn' by the Scottish Government. 'After waiting nearly seven years for this massively overbudget vessel, island communities will be dismayed that it's broken down within weeks of its launch,' she said last month. 'The SNP's failure to provide a viable ferry network has left passengers stranded once again.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ferguson Marine loses out again on new ferry contract in 'disappointing' blow
The Ferguson Marine shipyard on the River Clyde has lost out again on a contract to build new ferries. The nationalised firm, based in Port Glasgow , had submitted a bid to build two new small vessels for Western Ferries' Gourock to Dunoon route on the river, which was used by 1.2 million passengers last year. However, the BBC reported on Friday, April 25 that the ferry operator announced Cammell Laird, based at Birkenhead, Merseyside, was its preferred bidder to take on the contract. Two of Western Ferries' current fleet were built in the early 2000s when the Ferguson Marine yard was privately owned . The decision has left the firm still with no new orders, after it was snubbed in favour of a Polish yard for a contract to build seven new ferries in March, which was described as a "huge blow" . David Dishon, chief financial officer at Ferguson Marine , said of the latest decision: "Having submitted a high-quality bid, this news is disappointing. "However, Ferguson Marine remains focused on securing new work from a range of sources to build its pipeline." Mr Dishon said private investment for new vessels was "vitally important" to the economy and congratulated Cammell Laird on their winning bid. He added: "We wish both companies every success and hope to continue our long-standing working relationship with Western Ferries in the future." Ferguson Marine, which employs around 300 workers in an area of high deprivation, was nationalised in 2019 after struggling to deliver two new car ferries, MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa , the latter of which has still not been completed. MV Glen Sannox received praise from passengers after it was launched on the Arran route in January. However, it was pulled from service just two months later after a hairline crack in its hull led to a leak. It was quickly repaired and the ferry returned to service two days later.
STV News
25-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Ferguson Marine loses out on another ferries contract
Scotland's nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine has lost out on yet another contract to build new vessels – this time for Western Ferries. On Friday, the multi-million pound contract to build two new small vessels for the Western Ferries fleet was awarded to the APCL Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England. David Dishon, chief financial officer at Ferguson Marine, said the news was 'disappointing'. He added: 'Ferguson Marine remains focused on securing new work from a range of sources to build its pipeline.' The two new River Clyde ferries are intended to operate on the Gourock to Dunoon route and reduce the average age of the Western Ferries fleet. Construction will begin shortly with both vessels due to be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in autumn 2026. Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said the decision to appoint Cammell Laird over Ferguson's followed a highly competitive process. 'APCL Cammell Laird was selected as the preferred bidder due to the strength of its proposal, demonstrating exceptional value in cost, expertise, and the quality of its shipbuilding facilities,' Mr Ross said. 'Their bid was immensely strong on all fronts, and with their heritage of maritime excellence, we are confident that they will deliver vessels of the highest quality, on time and on budget.' David McGinley, group CEO of APCL Group welcomed the announcement of this latest contract with Western Ferries. 'This contract marks the next major milestone in APCL Group being recognised as the UK's leading commercial shipbuilder,' he said. 'Continued orders from British companies to British shipyards ensure that the UK remains as a leader of commercial shipbuilding on the world stage.' The announcement on Friday marks the second time in two months that Ferguson Marine has been passed over for a new ferries contract. In March, the company lost out on a contract for seven new CalMac ferries to a shipbuilding firm in Poland. Mr Dishon from Ferguson Marine added: 'We are a nation with a proud shipbuilding heritage, it's great to see private investment into the build of new ferries, something vitally important to our economy and sector. 'We want to thank Western Ferries for the opportunity to bid and congratulate Cammell Laird on being selected as the preferred bidder. We wish both companies every success and hope to continue our long-standing working relationship with Western Ferries in the future.' 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
