Plans for a marine engineering centre of excellence at Inchgreen in Inverclyde have taken a step forward with a partnership agreement between the local council, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and West College Scotland, Inverclyde Council stated.
A memorandum of understanding signed by the three parties commits them to developing a full business case for the centre, which would then be submitted to the UK Government. The proposed hub could draw on £20 million of UK Government funding announced in December 2025, subject to that case being developed and approved.
The intention is to build an innovation and training centre providing research capacity for businesses on the site while feeding trained people directly into skilled jobs there. Potential areas of focus include marine robotics, naval architecture, plating and welding, and the proposals will explore how the centre could support defence as well as net zero work.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “This is an important step in the ongoing evolution of Inchgreen and the development of a new marine engineering centre of excellence. Inchgreen has huge potential and we’re delighted to be collaborating with NMIS and West College Scotland to help us to unlock that potential by creating an environment where people can be trained and then move into quality jobs all at the same location.”
Chris Courtney, chief executive of NMIS, said: “Working in partnership with Inverclyde Council, West College Scotland and industry, we have a brilliant opportunity to create a distinctive centre of excellence that builds on Inverclyde’s strengths and supports growth and high-quality jobs.
“Together, we can connect manufacturing and engineering innovation with education and skills, helping businesses strengthen and scale while creating opportunities for people to build rewarding careers and contribute to a bright industrial future for the region.”
Anne Campbell, principal of West College Scotland, said: “As an anchor institution within the region, West College Scotland is committed to responding to the needs of our communities, employers and key industries. Through this partnership, we will combine skills, innovation and industry expertise to create new opportunities for learners, support economic growth and help build the highly skilled workforce needed for the future of Scotland’s marine and engineering sectors.”
The involvement of the two institutions is intended to open routes for young people in the area from apprenticeships through to PhD level.
The Inchgreen site consists of a marine park and a dry dock, the latter among the largest in the United Kingdom and a facility that has drawn periodic interest as a location for ship repair and offshore renewables work. An £11 million upgrade of the marine park was completed in March 2025, funded by an £8.4 million Glasgow City Region City Deal grant alongside £1.36 million each from Inverclyde Council and the Scottish Government, the latter drawn from the Clyde Mission Fund for refurbishment of the Platers Shed. A second phase using £3 million of City Region funding was approved earlier this year, covering berthing and quay wall improvements and the purchase of the adjacent former St Mungo’s Church site.
NMIS is headquartered in Renfrewshire within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, is operated by the University of Strathclyde and forms part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
First Minister John Swinney also toured Inchgreen dock on 24 August during a series of engagements across Inverclyde, alongside visits to Ferguson Marine, CalMac and CMAL, saying the area has a proud heritage as an industrial powerhouse and strong foundations for growth, and that the Scottish Government is working with the council and local partners to attract investment and create jobs.
Martin McCluskey, the Labour MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West, attended the partnership announcement alongside Councillor McCabe and the two institution heads.
