Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene has pressed the First Minister to explain why most of the £14.2 million promised for upgrades at Ferguson Marine has still not been delivered, warning that the shipyard is being left without work while foreign competitors secure new contracts.
Transport Scotland confirmed this week that two new Northern Isles freight vessels will be built abroad, with the shortlist consisting of two shipyards in China and two in Turkey. Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, which is publicly owned, was not invited to tender.
The yard continues to wait for the bulk of the £14.2 million investment pledged by ministers more than a year ago.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Greene said: “The First Minister will be aware that the shortlist for the two new freight vessels for the Northern Isles will be announced shortly. I welcome that the new vessels are coming. But it’s been reported that that shortlist will contain two yards in China and two yards in Turkey. Meanwhile, we do have a shipyard some 70 miles from this parliament that is owned by the Scottish Government, funded by the Scottish taxpayer and is absolutely desperate for new work.”
He continued: “First Minister, my question is simply when will Scottish Government procurement policy give adequate weighting to the economic benefits that awarding Scottish shipyards some contracts would reap? And when will he give this yard some contracts finally?”
After the exchange, Greene accused the SNP of failing to back domestic shipbuilding. “The SNP have sent votes of confidence in shipbuilding across the globe, but very little in our own. Promised government investment in Ferguson lies at the bottom of the sea floor, and we still have no clarity about what awaits the yard once key financial guarantees run out in a matter of days.”
He added: “We urgently need a clear timeline for when fresh guarantees can be provided and when the yard can expect the promised but as yet undelivered investment it needs to thrive. Ministers must also explain to taxpayers how large the blank cheque really is when it comes to keeping Ferguson open without any major new contracts.”
The government’s letter of comfort to Ferguson, which provides financial guarantees to support the yard, is due to expire in October 2025.
