Ferguson Marine news, interviews and updates on the shipyard
Read on for all the latest Ferguson Marine news, interviews and updates.
Latest Ferguson Marine news
As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest Ferguson Marine news stories.
Who does control Scotland's ferries and why?
Call for review over future of CalMac and CMAL in ferries revolution
New concern as Ferguson Marine confirms revised Glen Rosa build plan
Ferguson Marine leadership
Graeme Thomson (below) was recently appointed as the shipyard firm's new chief executive officer.
Graeme Thomson (Image: Ferguson Marine) He started the new role on May 1 after the departure of interim head John Petticrew for 'personal reasons' in March.
Mr Thomson's appointment came days after the yard missed out on a major contract for seven new small, fully electric vessels for CalMac to Poland's Remontowa Shipbuilding.
He will oversee the delivery of the much-delayed CalMac ferry, MV Glen Rosa, as well as aiming to secure sustainable and new contracts.
He said: 'I'm thoroughly excited and enthused to be taking on the role as chief executive officer of Ferguson Marine, a cornerstone of Scotland's rich maritime history and an important employer in Inverclyde.
'The business, and its people, have faced challenging times but as we look forward we must focus on delivering key contracts that demonstrate our capability to exceed expectations and build world-class ships on the Clyde.'
Ferguson Marine criticisms and controversies
The state-owned shipyard is facing several difficulties, primarily due to financial sustainability.
Its failure to win a contract for seven new small ferries for CalMac from Scotland to Poland was a big blow and has left hundreds of jobs at stake.
The contract was a key part of the firm's five-year recovery strategy after delays and cost overruns in the construction of two much larger ferries for CalMac, the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.
The MV Glen Sannox (Image: Jane Barlow) Conservative MSP Sue Webber said: "This announcement is devastating for Ferguson Marine and could yet prove the death knell for the yard.'
In building the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries, the shipyard has run into major cost overruns.
The contract was awarded by CMAL in 2015.
The ferries were originally scheduled for completion in 2018 with a budget of £97 million, although the costs are believed to have quadrupled.
The Glen Sannox commenced service in January 2025, while the Glen Rosa is slated for a later delivery.
There are also concerns about Ferguson Marine's operational efficiency, as these delays and cost overruns have put a spotlight on its project management issues, along with concerns about leadership stability with a series of executive and managerial changes.
The Scottish Government announced last July plans to invest £14.2 million in the shipyard, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stating that the investment would be focused on modernisation and improving productivity.
Ministers have also said that talks were at the final stages with BAE Systems about the shipyard being awarded further work on the Type 26 Frigate programme.
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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
CalMac ferry due to be scrapped given reprieve by Brexit
Since then the ferry has been anchored at King George V dock on the Clyde, awaiting transfer to Denmark to be scrapped. That was first mooted for April, but according to The Scotsman the ship has been unable to enter the European Union due to regulations over hazardous waste. Read More: The issue is believed to be related to the freezer compartments on board, and in particular the insulation used in their construction. A Cmal spokesperson said: 'Decommissioning a ferry is a complex task, which requires input from a range of specialists. 'From salvaging engine parts to removing hazardous material, the project has been closely managed to ensure compliance with all partners, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Danish equivalent. 'We are in the final stages of completing the required paperwork and hope to see her start the journey to Denmark as soon as all necessary permissions are granted. 'The rules have changed since Brexit and it takes more time to obtain approvals on paperwork. When paired with the complexity of decommissioning work to retain important parts of the vessel, the project has taken slightly longer than originally planned.'
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish financial services inward investment impresses
There seem to be many who would rather it was all going horribly wrong, so they could point their fingers and declare, for political reasons, that Scotland is some kind of basket case and that it is all the SNP's fault. If anyone thinks this statement is overdone, they might want to contemplate the horrified glee with which the cost overruns and huge delays on the two ferries which Port Glasgow shipbuilder Ferguson Marine has been building for CalMac have been greeted. That is not a reference to people on Arran or others actually affected by the knock-on disruption to ferry services which has resulted from these delays – they are perfectly entitled to make their viewpoints known. Rather, it is a reference to those who are not affected directly but seem compelled to carp from the sidelines, at great volume and with spectacular frequency and on occasion pomposity. The cost overruns and delays on this contract for the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, awarded by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and lamentably complicated by what seemed like an unnecessary requirement for dual-fuel vessels operating on marine diesel and liquefied natural gas, have been far from ideal, to put it mildly. However, in the political fishbowl that is Scotland, it would be good if the carping were proportionate. Scotland's continuing strong performance in financial services foreign direct investment (FDI) was revealed in figures published by accountancy firm EY on Monday. These showed Scotland, as well as remaining second only to London as a destination for financial services FDI in the UK last year, also achieved a decade-high for the number of such projects won. The EY figures show Scotland attracted 11 financial services FDI projects in 2024, up from nine in the previous year. This advance was achieved in spite of a sharp fall in the overall number of financial services FDI projects won by the UK in 2024. EY's figures show Edinburgh, with the six financial services FDI projects it attracted last year, was the joint-top city outside London for such wins, alongside Manchester. London attracted 39 financial services FDI projects in 2024. Glasgow earlier this year climbed further in a closely watched league table of global financial centres. The city rose by five places to 32nd spot in the latest twice-yearly Z/Yen Global Financial Centres Index, published in March. In September 2023, Glasgow was in 51st spot, before climbing to 42nd place in March 2024 and then 37th place in September last year. Edinburgh's position was, at 29th in the latest rankings, unchanged from September 2024 when it climbed to its current position from 33rd. However, while its league placing was unchanged in the latest index, the Scottish capital's overall score improved. The EY figures published this week show the US continues to be the top source of financial services FDI for Scotland, accounting for five such projects in 2024. And the US has been the source of 38 financial services inward investment projects for Scotland over the last decade, EY noted. Meanwhile, the accountancy firm highlighted an important sign of strength in financial services FDI in Scotland overall last year, in terms of overseas companies already operating here deciding to invest further in the nation. Sue Dawe, EY's Scotland managing partner for financial services, said: 'We continue to see Scotland perform well in attracting financial services FDI projects. In 2024, we saw almost as many projects expanding existing operations as we did brand new projects - which is a great indication that these companies view Scotland as a viable proposition to continue investing in.' The UK attracted 73 financial services FDI projects last year, down from 108 in 2023. This is a sharp drop, making it all the more impressive that Scotland managed to buck this downward trend at a UK level. However, EY noted: 'The UK continues to be Europe's most attractive location for financial services FDI with total project numbers across Europe falling 11% year on year - from 329 projects in 2023 to 293 projects in 2024.' Read more It added: 'The UK's 73 financial services projects is more than double second-placed Germany, which recorded 32 projects - a 16% decline from 38 in 2023. France fell to third position with 30 projects in 2024 - a 23% decline from 39 projects in 2023.' EY highlighted the importance of Scotland continuing to work hard to secure financial services FDI, given the fall in the number of projects attracted by the UK overall last year. Ms Dawe said: 'While the UK continues to be Europe's top financial service FDI location, the fall in overall investment that was recorded at both those levels [tells] us that we cannot take the foot off the [pedal]. If Scotland is to remain an attractive place for companies within an increasingly competitive market, then we need to dial up what we do well - working together across sector, government and education - and not shy away from challenges on the horizon.' She added: 'Financial services isn't simply one of Scotland's growth sectors - it's the growth sector that enables other growth sectors; so, if we get this right and continue to be the most attractive place to establish financial services operations outside London, the Scottish economy as a whole will benefit. We've already demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together - this should be no different.' There is clearly much to continue to strive for in this arena, building on impressive successes to date. Sandy Begbie, chief executive of industry body Scottish Financial Enterprise, said: 'EY's latest attractiveness survey demonstrates the continued strength and attractiveness of Scotland's world-class financial services industry, based on the depth, breadth and maturity of our ecosystem, the quality of our universities and skills pipeline, and the leadership we are showing in priority areas like data, AI (artificial intelligence) and green finance.' Mr Begbie underlined the potential to build further on Scotland's success in this key area. He said: 'We believe there is even greater potential for progress - particularly by taking advantage of global trends around near-shoring and the establishment of large regional hubs - and have redoubled our efforts to promote Scotland as a good place to invest.' Commenting on the EY figures, Mr Begbie observed 'these results also show that we are operating in an increasingly competitive marketplace and, if we want to retain our strong reputation internationally, there is no room for complacency'. He declared that it is 'vital that industry and government work closely and constructively to further build upon our longstanding reputation as a good place to do business, attract further inward investment and create new high-value jobs that benefit everyone in Scotland'. The numbers for financial services FDI in recent times suggest that, in highly competitive global conditions, the sector in Scotland, as well as government and educational institutions, are doing a great job in working together to attract high-value activity to the nation. Those who like for their own political ends to try to paint a picture of the Scottish Government not doing well on the economy might want to reflect on that. However, they probably will not.
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Return of MV Caledonian Isles delayed due to adverse weather
The vessel has been out of action since a catalogue of issues was identified when it went in for its annual overhaul in January 2024. It was due to return to service on Thursday but after it undocked 24 hours late due to "poor conditions", it is now due to begin a phased return on Friday. This phased return will continue through Saturday and Sunday, with a return to a full timetable on Monday, June 15. CalMac said: "There will be a delay to the phased return of the vessel. MV Caledonian Isles will begin a phased return on Friday, June 13 and continue through Saturday, June 14, with a full return to timetable on Sunday, June 15." READ MORE: 'Multi-billion-pound' renovation for Faslane nuclear base on Clyde The MV Isle of Arran replaced the Caley Isles on the Ardrossan route, but moved on in January this year, leaving the town without a ferry service since that date. The MV Glen Sannox has been operating from Troon – alongside the MV Alfred – because it is too large to dock at Ardrossan. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced earlier this year that she had asked officials to look at the potential purchase of the harbour in North Ayrshire. The Ardrossan Harbour Task Force met for the first time in a year in April after which the Scottish Government said it remained committed to trying to purchase the site. But campaigners fighting to save Ardrossan Harbour told The National last month they fear negotiations to bring the site into public ownership are 'far from complete' after meeting with CMAL, Transport Scotland, CalMac and Peel Ports. The Ardrossan port requires a costly berth realignment in order to accommodate the new Glen Sannox – which entered service to Arran in January – and the Glen Rosa – which is now not due to be delivered until 2026. READ MORE: 3000 sign NC500 pledge amid Highland concerns over tourism impact The Ardrossan Harbour Project – to develop the port and make it suitable for the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa – was given the go-ahead way back in 2018 by then transport minister Humza Yousaf, but the project was paused in 2023 and a fresh business case has never emerged. With ferries only going in and out of Troon for the past few months, residents in Arran have been struggling to get to medical appointments at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, which is easily reachable by bus from Ardrossan but much more challenging to get to from Troon. Foot passengers have also had to board a shuttle at the Troon port if they want to get to the town's railway station and travel on towards Glasgow, with Troon station being around a 25-minute walk away. Ardrossan train station, on the other hand, is right by the port and the timings of service line-up with the ferry timetable. Transport Scotland said it will update Parliament and the community once there is progress to report on the potential purchase.
