Ferguson Marine loses out on another ferries contract
Scotland's nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine has lost out on yet another contract to build new vessels – this time for Western Ferries.
On Friday, the multi-million pound contract to build two new small vessels for the Western Ferries fleet was awarded to the APCL Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England.
David Dishon, chief financial officer at Ferguson Marine, said the news was 'disappointing'.
He added: 'Ferguson Marine remains focused on securing new work from a range of sources to build its pipeline.'
The two new River Clyde ferries are intended to operate on the Gourock to Dunoon route and reduce the average age of the Western Ferries fleet.
Construction will begin shortly with both vessels due to be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in autumn 2026.
Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said the decision to appoint Cammell Laird over Ferguson's followed a highly competitive process.
'APCL Cammell Laird was selected as the preferred bidder due to the strength of its proposal, demonstrating exceptional value in cost, expertise, and the quality of its shipbuilding facilities,' Mr Ross said.
'Their bid was immensely strong on all fronts, and with their heritage of maritime excellence, we are confident that they will deliver vessels of the highest quality, on time and on budget.'
David McGinley, group CEO of APCL Group welcomed the announcement of this latest contract with Western Ferries.
'This contract marks the next major milestone in APCL Group being recognised as the UK's leading commercial shipbuilder,' he said.
'Continued orders from British companies to British shipyards ensure that the UK remains as a leader of commercial shipbuilding on the world stage.'
The announcement on Friday marks the second time in two months that Ferguson Marine has been passed over for a new ferries contract.
In March, the company lost out on a contract for seven new CalMac ferries to a shipbuilding firm in Poland.
Mr Dishon from Ferguson Marine added: 'We are a nation with a proud shipbuilding heritage, it's great to see private investment into the build of new ferries, something vitally important to our economy and sector.
'We want to thank Western Ferries for the opportunity to bid and congratulate Cammell Laird on being selected as the preferred bidder. We wish both companies every success and hope to continue our long-standing working relationship with Western Ferries in the future.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
33 minutes ago
- Metro
Major US fast food chain to open in Heathrow airport
Heathrow Airport has announced plans to open a new Five Guys restaurant, in a European first. Set to launch in Terminal 5 – which has been temporarily renamed 'Terminal Five Guys' for the occasion – the popular American chain is making its debut at the UK's busiest airport later in 2025. Five Guys opened its first UK restaurant back in 2013, but this will mark its first venture into any airport in either the UK or Europe. Located on the terminal's upper level, the 2,500-square-foot burger joint is expected to seat around 90 diners, as well as offering a takeaway service for travellers on the go. With opening times spanning from the first to last flight each day, it'll also feature a special menu tailored to passengers dealing with jet lag and navigating time zone shifts. Although the exact details have yet to be revealed, the chain has confirmed that breakfast options will be available to order throughout the day, alongside Five Guys' signature burgers, hot dogs and hand-cut fries. The restaurant is expected to create between 80 and 100 new jobs, and will include ordering kiosks in six languages. 'We are thrilled to be opening a brand new Five Guys at Heathrow Terminal 5 this year,' John Eckbert, CEO of Five Guys UK said. 'Having opened over 170 restaurants across the UK since we first launched back in 2013, the brand has established itself as one of the nation's favourites for premium burgers. 'Now Five Guys is cementing itself at the UK's busiest travel hub; we are excited to be providing our delicious menu to travellers as part of their journeys.' The American fast food chain was founded in Virginia in 1986 and opened its first UK location in Covent Garden in 2013. Travellers can find the restaurant at several major US airports and Dubai International Airport, which opened last year to become the first Five Guys airport location outside North America. More Trending Heathrow saw around 81 million passengers pass through in 2024 and is targeting a record 84.2 million in 2025. Terminal 5, the main base for British Airways, is the busiest airport terminal in Europe, and plans for expansion are already underway. Holidaymakers aren't the only ones being treated to new fast food spots though, so you don't need a boarding pass to get your fix. Parisian burger joint Dumbo is opening its first ever UK site very soon, while an Asian dessert chain called Mammy Pancake also hit British shores earlier this month. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'Stupid' Apple Pay prank plagues commuters on London Tube MORE: People stuck in 26-storey tower block after lifts broke only offered £100 voucher MORE: Three men appear in court accused of arson attacks on properties linked to Keir Starmer
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
‘Momentum is building': Green industries praise clean energy rules for new homes
The Energy Department (Desnz) said on Friday that the future homes standard (FHS), which will be published in autumn, is expected to require new residential properties to have solar panels and low-carbon heating by default. With a significant amount of the UK's carbon footprint coming from gas heating of homes, the FHS will require new housing in England to produce fewer carbon emissions than those built under current regulations. The renewable energy sector, alongside green campaigners, have welcomed the 'common sense' proposals. Trevor Hutchings, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said: 'The growth of solar power has been one of the UK's biggest renewable energy success stories, demonstrating without a doubt that we don't have to choose between lowering our emissions and lowering household energy bills. 'Today's announcement – which the REA has long campaigned for – takes this one step further – not only enabling thousands of future homeowners to experience the benefits of affordable and clean power, but supercharging growth in the British renewable energy industry and driving forward our energy transition.' Chris O'Shea, chief executive of Centrica, said: 'The age of solar is well and truly upon us, with millions of households up and down the country already benefiting from generating their own free electricity from the sun. 'With the Future Home Standard expected in the autumn, momentum is building behind Great Britain's rooftop revolution.' Mike Childs, head of policy, science and research at Friends of the Earth, called the move 'plain common sense' but warned that ministers must act to help decarbonise homes that are already built. 'The Spending Review next week must ensure that the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan is sufficiently funded so that that everyone can enjoy these benefits, and no one is left behind because they can't afford the changes,' he said. Greenpeace UK's head of politics Ami McCarthy said: 'It's extraordinary that such a common-sense solution has taken so long to be rolled out, and this Government deserves full credit for this breakthrough. 'Now ministers need to urgently reform the UK's energy system as a whole and stop gas from setting the price of electricity so that everyone, whether living in a new build or not, gets to enjoy the lower bills that cheap, clean renewable power can bring.' Under the proposed changes, developers must meet solar panel coverage equivalent to 40% of the building's flood area – and those that cannot must install a 'reasonable amount of solar coverage'. The changes will be subject to practical limits with flexibility in place for new homes surrounded by trees or with lots of shade overhead, the Government said. Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson praised the move after ministers previously rejected his 'Sunshine Bill' – a similar law which would have seen new builds come with solar panels equivalent to at least 40% of their ground floor area as standard. The Cheltenham MP told the PA news agency: 'This news will help us fight the cost-of-living crisis by lowering people's energy bills while reducing carbon emissions too. 'I've been campaigning on this since long before I was an MP and was determined to build on its success after I was elected. 'I welcome today's news from the Government and I'm pleased we can all look forward to a brighter future – but there will be more work to do to ensure solar for new builds begins without delay.' Housebuilders largely welcomed the announcement but warned against introducing burdensome paperwork which may harm the Government's efforts to reach its target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federations, said: 'Moving forward, as we look to meet the more challenging carbon reductions set by Government, we will see solar PV panels on the overwhelming majority of new homes. 'We welcome recognition from Government that there needs to be flexibility around the number of panels on roofs in some locations, to reflect orientation and house design. 'We need to ensure the process to agree the number of panels in such locations is workable and not overly bureaucratic such that it does not delay attempts to increase housing supply.' Mark Wakeford, national chairman of the National Federation of Builders, said: 'Solar panels on new homes make sense because they lower bills and progress the clean energy revolution we so desperately need. 'Credit must also be given for recent announcements on grid investment and connection reforms, as these were important challenges to recognise and solve for a rooftop revolution to happen in practice.'
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
NatWest issues statement as online banking app down for customers
NatWest issues statement as online banking app down for customers The bank has told customers they are experiencing technical difficulties NatWest customers have reported being locked out of their accounts (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire ) NatWest has issued an apology to its customers due to service disruptions which are stopping users from accessing their mobile app. The bank is advising customers to use telephone banking services, or to visit a branch while they address the technical issues. Several people reported being unable to fulfil payments, process salaries, or move money between accounts on Friday morning. The problems have caused frustrated customers to share their annoyance on social media as they wait for the app to be fixed. A spokeswoman for NatWest said: "We are aware that customers are experiencing difficulties accessing the NatWest mobile banking app this morning. "We're really sorry about this and working to fix it as quickly as possible. "Customers can still use online and telephone banking, or visit a branch.", reports the Liverpool Echo. Unhappy customers have taken to X, previously known as Twitter, to voice their annoyance with the outage which has stopped them being able to make transactions via the app. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . Article continues below One X user posted: "@natwest why is your app down! I have a car tax payment i need to sort,". Another person shared their frustration: "@NatWest_Help your app isn't working and you keep telling people to use online banking to make payments and that isn't working either. "When will everything be back up and running? Some of us have urgent things that need paying." Someone else wrote: "@NatWest_Help app still down , its payday and I need to transfer money. Not good enough." Meanwhile, another customer expressed their frustration: "I have seriously got to ditch @NatWest_Help the app is down AGAIN!". "Need to travel to urgent medical appointment but can't get there if my account isn't working and the poxy app is down!," wrote another unhappy customer. Article continues below The recent string of technical outages affecting customers of nig high-street banks has caused considerable public anger - particularly around the end of the month, which typically coincides with pay day for many households. According to data gathered by the Treasury Committee in March, nine of the largest British banks and building societies have experienced over 33 days of unplanned outages due to issues with their technology and systems in the last two years alone.
