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.
I had to check it wasn’t April Fools or one of George’s Christmas windups.
I’m gobsmacked anyone would even consider letting these guys build another ferry given that neither of the two they were contracted to build works.
Last heard they were STOROBing #2 to get #1 working. That is special STOROBing for vessels not even in service.
I wouldn’t trust these guys to run a bath.
SB how can you possibly be against them getting this contract, it’s worth its weight in gold if you take a very broad approach to the defence of the realm.
The ongoing Fergusons issues, backed to the hilt by the SNP actually does more to defend the Union, than all the windbags in Westminster combined.
Lang May its Looms Reek !
or is that leak!!😁
Comedy Gold?
You could make a stunning hybrid script between Yes, First Minister and Fergies…that script would write itself.
If you had written it before it would be dismissed as far fetched!
Dad what is a WTF moment?
Son read this headline.
sad and embarrassing. the billions of so that was invested into the Clyde had been used elsewhere, maybe we’d have an increased c capacity.
Wow
Have to laugh and despair at the SNP endlessly bemoaning the UK gov not building enough vessels in Scotland when its state owned ferry builder has gone to pot and replacements are built abroad!
*Rubs forehead in confusion*
Doubtless because they have demonstrated such excellent compliance to previous contract terms and timescales?
Is this contract within the terms of the National shipbuilding strategy- if not I would respectfully asked that the UK government make it so asap. I’m fairly certain the works will go to Ferguson as SNP controlled Scottish parliament and Ferguson is the only Scottish bidder. Hence why it should go out to the rest of the UK and become a key national programme- the MOD can spin it that the vessels will have an auxiliary role in warfare or some such to nationalise the programme and therefore “allow” yards from around the whole of the UK to bid. Come… Read more »
You do realise that on various exercises in the 70/80’s cross channel and North Sea ferries were used?
But I do get your humour!
No I was being semi-serious. I know ferries have a military utility. (Norland and Falklands anyone?) Strangely enough I had only just finished reading a US naval institute study looking at China’s large ferry construction trends. Currently China operates some 55 ferries that are large enough to transport military vehicles too and from Taiwan in a theoretical invasion scenario. This is matching their transportation requirements for coastal shipping movements and bulk carriage. Most are in the sub 10,000 ton category. Yet and this is why I think all ferry construction should be within a military adaptable criteria, the Chinese are… Read more »
I think we should build a whole fleet of ferries and call them the Gosport class.
Paint them green!
Fantastic idea.
Defence necessity meets parody…
Joking apart P&O and others used to check government loan guarantees ‘to incorporate certain features’ in their ferries that made them usable in this way.
The reality is something fighty has to go in and make sure the area is secured before Bays, Points or ferries can do their jobs in that order.
Something “Fighty” you say ? hmmm how’s about we reactivate HMS Warrior, she’s well practised working in close proximity to the Gosport legend ?
The Chinese have already begun this process with 6 of their most capable roll-on- roll-off ferries now fitted with rear loading ramps that are hinged and strengthened to support amphibious vehicles disembarking directly into the water. if the ferries were to be reverse beached they could unload other non- amphibious vehicles.
If the Chinese can build the estimated 200 ferries they have contracted then Taiwan (and it’s allies) will be hard pressed to prevent a large scale sealift and invasion.
😆
I think someone needs to understand that these Ferries are tiny and Electric plug in !
What, no CIWS at least? 🤔
Quantium torpedoes at least surely?
RFA Sir Caradoc & RFA Sir Lamorak after the Falkland. Both were found to be limited in the role and ended up ferrying vehicles back and forth
Mr Bell FYI yes the contract does comply with the NSBS there are six companies selected to proceed to the bid process. Four of those are abroad but 2 from U.K, one is Fergusons and another is Cammell Laird.
As for an auxiliary military role, do yourself a favour and look at the spec. They are less than 50m, about 500 hundred tons, shallow draft and Electric Powered. Designed to take passengers and a few cars for very short trips between islands.
Oh and without them the island population are completely marooned.
Still militarise them and stick photon torpedoes, hypersonic missiles and 16 inch guns on them….just in case.
I think we are all joking…ATM including Mr Bell…
George the article does not make it clear if Ferguson’s is the only UK yard or if any others are on the list. If there are others would you please name them.
https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/new-ferries-for-the-clyde-and-hebrides-network/
The first stage of the competitive tender process assessed shipyards interested in bidding for the contract against specific criteria including facilities, capacities and capabilities to take on the project. The following six yards have been selected to progress to Invite to Tender stage:
Looking at a Transport Scotland article the others are: Cammell Lairds (UK), Damen (Multinational), Cemre Marin (Turkey), Asenav S.A. (Chile), Remontowa Shipbuilding (Poland).
Cammell Laird (Birkenhead) plus 4 foreign ones Damen (Romania), Turkey, Chile, Poland.
Wonder if H&W Appledore missed out due to the current financial uncertainty?
I’m actually hoping that these do get built here…. Learning by your mistakes is the best way to improve. Let’s just hope they learn really quick.
Has the world gone MAD
Using the finance UK gov finance scheme.