Council Leader Welcomes Ferry Contract News
The Leader of Inverclyde Council has welcomed news Ferguson Marine Engineering in Port Glasgow has been awarded a £97 million contract to build two new ferries.
The yard will undertake the detailed design and construction of two new 100 metre ‘dual-fuel’ ferries for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).
Inverclyde Council Leader Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “This is tremendous news for Ferguson Marine, Port Glasgow and Inverclyde. It is a reflection of the skills of the local workforce and the expertise of Ferguson Marine. The contract heralds a new dawn for shipbuilding on the Clyde and with guarantees on future investment in the business Ferguson Marine will be at the centre of a thriving and diverse local economy.”
Ferguson Marine has already delivered two hybrid ferries for the CMAL fleet with a third due to launch in December this year. The contract will secure around 150 existing jobs and is expected to create new jobs as well as boost the local economy.
Councillor McCabe added; “When you think that a little over a year ago we feared the worst for Ferguson’s when administrators were called in. Thanks to the financial backing of Jim McColl who saw the potential of the Port Glasgow yard and its workforce his confidence has been rewarded.”
The ships are designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGV’s or a combination of both and up to 1,000 passengers.
The new ferries are expected to go into service on the Ardrossan-Broddick and the Uig Triangle routes although the final decision has yet to be taken.
They can operate on liquefied natural gas (LGV) and marine diesel.
The first is expected to go into operation in spring/summer 2018.