Ferguson shipyard invited to tender to build new ferries

Ferguson Marine, based in the Port Glasgow, has been selected as one of six shipyards invited to tender for the construction of seven new electric ferries, which will serve the Clyde and Hebrides network.

This tender is part of the Scottish Government’s Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP), aimed at supporting island communities and improving the resilience of the ferry network.

The shipyards, which include contenders from Chile, Turkey, Poland, and the UK, were chosen after a rigorous assessment process based on their facilities, capacity, and ability to handle the project. Estimated costs for the first phase of the SVRP are approximately £175 million, which includes not only the construction of the vessels but also port improvements and shore power upgrades to accommodate the electric ferries.

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, said, “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to improving our ferry fleet to better meet the needs of island communities. The new vessels will also be electric, helping us to deliver a significant improvement in emissions and local air quality.”

Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive at CMAL, added, “Six shipyards scored the highest across the criteria, and have now been issued an ITT for the contract. We look forward to delivering the electric vessels which will continue our rejuvenation of the fleet and shore infrastructure for island communities.”

Tender submissions are expected by January 2025, with the contract anticipated to be awarded in March 2025. These new vessels are expected to provide significant environmental benefits and support vital ferry services for Scotland’s island communities.