Ferguson shipyard makes it onto shortlist for small ferries contract

Former Ferguson Marine chief executive David Tydeman, who was removed by the firm’s board earlier this year, said some of the larger shipyards on the list would have the advantage of lower overheads including management costs.

“It’s this last point where Ferguson needs hard work – its overheads are too high and need cutting from top down,” he told BBC Scotland News.

“While I’m sure CMAL and Transport Scotland can justify the social premium for UK jobs vs the small extra cost for deliveries of ships from abroad, there will have to be consistency about protecting jobs in Liverpool with Cammell Laird and Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.

“And the decision is whether faster and cheaper delivery is the better choice for islanders jobs and businesses.”

The Ferguson shipyard employs about 300 people, including 50 apprentices, but is running out of work as it completes the long-delayed Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, the first UK-built ferries capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG)

Both ships were originally due to enter service six years ago but the build has been blighted by design challenges and a bitter dispute between the yard’s former owner and CMAL over costs.

That saw the firm fall back into administration in 2019, when it was nationalised.