Ferguson Marine could return to private ownership, if buyer comes forward

Ferguson Marine could be sold. The Scottish Government has confirmed it remains open to discussions with anyone interested in a commercial future for the Port Glasgow ship yard.

Updating parliament on progress Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said they are committed to securing jobs and completing existing work at the site.

Mr Mackay updated Parliament on the decision taken to bring Fergusons into public control to avoid its closure while administrators continue to test the market for potential commercial buyers.

He stressed his commitment to the completion of the two Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) ferries being built at Fergusons, while protecting jobs and securing a future for shipbuilding at the yard.

Mr Mackay said:

“My focus is, and has always been, on ensuring completion of the two public sector ferries at the best value for money for the taxpayer, while also working towards the delivery of the other vessels under construction at the yard, and in doing so securing jobs for the workforce through continuity of employment.

“While the CMAL vessels are being completed, the Scottish Government will continue to conduct further work to support continued shipbuilding at the site.

“The Scottish Government will at all times remain open to discussions with any parties interested in securing a viable commercial future for the yard.

“But we will also explore the option of keeping the yard in public ownership, and how this might protect sustainable shipbuilding on the lower Clyde.

“Throughout this process the Scottish Government has worked in good faith to secure the vessels, the jobs and the yard.

“When presented with the prospect of the company entering into administration we acted quickly and decisively and the yard did not close.

“While clearly there is much work yet to do, our actions have ensured that there will be a future for Fergusons."

Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has called on the Scottish Government to keep the Ferguson Marine yard in public ownership to ensure that the two ferries currently being built there are completed, and that the aging public ferry fleet can be replaced.

John Finnie MSP said:

“Scotland’s publicly owned ferry fleet is aging and urgently needs replaced. It’s vital that these vessels are replaced in the years ahead.

"This process must begin by completing the two vessels currently under construction at Ferguson Marine, but it should not end there.

"The Scottish Government’s acquisition of this yard and its skilled workforce would present an opportunity to deliver joined up procurement and construction processes, with trade union expertise embedded at its heart, to deliver the replacement vessels our island communities so desperately need and the way to guarantee that is to place the yard in public ownership."