‘Shipbuilding Coming Home’

MSP and Local Councillor Welcome Awarding of Shipbuilding Contract to Port Glasgow Yard

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and local Ward 1 Councillor, Jim Macleod have today (Thursday) welcomed the news that Ferguson Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow have become the preferred bidder to build the world’s first two ‘hybrid’ ferries. The order for these two ferries totals £20m and it will create an additional 100 jobs including apprenticeships as well as safeguarding another 75 jobs.

Speaking after the announcement, Stuart McMillan MSP, who grew up in Port Glasgow, said:

"This is a tremendous announcement for ‘the Port’, shipbuilding on the lower Clyde and for Inverclyde. Once again the SNP Government are living up to the promises and helping to deliver for Inverclyde.

"These two vessels being built in the town will safeguard employment but also provide new opportunities for young people. The creation of apprenticeships is the icing on the cake for me and I’m sure that whoever obtains these positions will be grateful of the chance.

"Mixing the traditional Clydebuilt skills as well as newer green technologies shows that Port Glasgow can once again be at the vanguard of the shipbuilding industry. These world first vessels will prove to the world that commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde is not over but can be the start of something bigger.

"I grew up in Port Glasgow and my father worked in Ferguson’s before passing away. I know what shipbuilding meant to him and I know what it means to the whole town. Portonians are proud of their history and legacy to the world and we know that we can still contribute to the shipbuilding world.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone associated with Ferguson’s for winning this order. The skills of the workforce are well known and they deserve every credit. I know they will deliver top quality vessels enhancing their reputation even further.

"I also congratulate CMAL for their innovative specification and I welcome the SNP Government providing the finance for this fantastic news.

"Shipbuilding is returning home and I look forward to seeing the progress of these world leading Clydebuilt vessels."

SNP Councillor for Ward 1 (Inverclyde East), Jim MacLeod said:

"I live in Port Glasgow and understand the importance of shipbuilding to the local community as well as to Inverclyde as a whole. This announcement is fantastic news for everyone associated with Fergusons, Port Glasgow and Inverclyde.

"A great news story that will not only help sustain existing jobs at the yard but create many new jobs for people in this district.

"We must also not forget the spin off that these new jobs will create for our local economy.

"Congratulations must go to Alex Neil and the Scottish Government in awarding this order to Fergusons and bringing these new jobs to Port Glasgow. It’s also imperative that the management who won the order and the workforce who will build the vessels deserve credit. Their hard work in this instance has paid off."