Union pushes for action on promised Ferguson Marine contracts
The Scottish Government promised to award four vessels to the shipyard earlier this year.
A trade union has called for action from ministers on four contracts promised to the Government-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard.
The facility in Inverclyde has been at the centre of a political firestorm since being taken into public ownership in 2019, largely relating to the overdue and over-budget building of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries to serve Scotland’s west coast.
In recent years, the sustainability of the yard has also come into question, with some calling for the Government to hand contracts to Ferguson for the small vessel replacement programme.
Citing procurement laws, ministers have resisted those calls but, in March, former deputy first minister Kate Forbes announced the contract for four vessels would be given to Ferguson.
Two of the vessels would be hived off from the small ferry programme, while another two fishery support ships will also be built in Port Glasgow.
But, on Wednesday, Louise Gilmour, the Scotland secretary of the GMB trade union, pressed for action on the contracts, which have yet to be officially awarded.
“Ministers were loud enough in March when promising support for Ferguson Marine but, four months later, have absolutely nothing to say.
“These contracts were fanfared by the Scottish Government right before an election campaign but weeks are turning into months without news or apparent progress.
“Ferguson’s does not have the luxury of time to allow more boxes to be ticked at Holyrood. It needs work now.
“The communities of Port Glasgow have not forgotten the promises made before the Scottish election and will not forgive ministers if those promises are broken.”
She added: “Contracts promised tomorrow mean nothing without actual work today.
“This yard has been building excellent small ships for 100 years and it beggars belief that an island nation cannot deliver a steady pipeline of work to a publicly-owned yard.”
“Shipbuilders needs ships to build and, without work, this yard will lose skilled and experienced workers while apprentices will lose the opportunity to learn those skills and gain that experience.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “While Ferguson Marine works to complete the Glen Rosa, the Scottish Government is working at pace to progress the necessary due diligence, legal, commercial and subsidy control assessments required to support the proposals to directly award four new vessel contracts to Ferguson Marine.
“Taxpayers would expect that these assessments are thorough and comprehensive in order to secure a robust, sustainable and legally compliant route forward.
“We are working closely and constructively with Ferguson Marine while we undertake this work, and ministers will keep Parliament updated on progress.”
But Martin McCluskey, the Labour MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West, said delay creates “more anxiety for workers”.
“These contracts need to be finalised as quickly as possible so that work can begin and the yard can get on with doing what it does best – building high-quality ships and sustaining skilled jobs here in Inverclyde,” he said.
“I pay tribute to the continued work of the GMB Union and the workforce in Port Glasgow.
“The workforce have shown incredible resilience through years of uncertainty. They deserve certainty, they deserve a pipeline of work, and they deserve a Scottish Government that matches its promises with action.”
Graeme Thomson, the chief executive of Ferguson Marine, said: “The announcement that the Scottish Government intends to directly award Ferguson Marine the contracts to build four vessels was a watershed moment for Ferguson Marine, securing a clear path forward for our shipyard and Scottish shipbuilding.
“We are now working closely with Scottish Government stakeholders to map out the detailed technical requirements, timelines, and legal frameworks to get these projects under way smoothly.
“At the same time, we are moving quickly to deploy the £14.2 million capital investment.
“To ensure complete transparency and get the best value for money, we are working through Public Contracts Scotland to tender, conduct robust selections, and secure the advanced manufacturing technology and infrastructure our yard needs.
“This rigorous process takes diligent planning, but the progress we are making today is actively modernising our yard and building the next chapter of our Clydebuilt legacy.”