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Tugs plan offers short-term lifeline for Ferguson Marine shipyard

The Ferguson Marine shipyard is to build a number of tugs while it awaits promised orders from the Scottish government.

Ministers agreed to provide financial backing for construction of the small vessels. The state-owned yard will then try to find a buyer.

BBC Scotland understands that the Port Glasgow firm will work with another established shipbuilder, possibly the Dutch firm Damen, on a pre-packaged design, allowing the work to start relatively quickly.

The announcement was criticised by opposition parties for being below expectations, after the SNP made a pre-election pledge for four new vessels for the yard.

Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said the tugs would maintain vital workforce skills while officials continue the due diligence process on these orders.

Ferguson Marine is currently in the final stages of completing MV Glen Rosa, the second of two long-delayed Calmac ferries.

Delivery is currently scheduled before the end of the year and the firm has no other confirmed orders.

In a statement at Holyrood, Flynn said the tugs plan put forward by the firm’s management was a “sensible” way of providing work in the interim.


BBC News

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