The Scottish Government has said it is actively engaging with industry on the future redevelopment of Inverclyde’s Inchgreen Marine Park, citing potential growth across shipbuilding, vessel repair, freight and maritime tourism.
In a written response to a parliamentary question from Jamie Greene MSP, ministers confirmed discussions are underway with businesses interested in bringing new maritime activity to the long-dormant Inchgreen Dry Dock.
Responding on behalf of the Scottish Government, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the administration remains committed to strengthening Scotland’s maritime economy, with Inchgreen identified as a key opportunity.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting a strong maritime sector, including Inchgreen Marine Park, which has been funded through the Glasgow City Region Deal,” she said. She added that officials are “actively engaging with a range of businesses interested in the redevelopment of Inchgreen Dry Dock in Inverclyde,” noting that the project has also been boosted by recently announced UK Government funding.
The response confirms that engagement spans multiple parts of the maritime economy, including shipbuilding, freight handling, vessel repair and tourism, with ministers working alongside the National Shipbuilding Office and the Scottish Maritime Cluster. “Several maritime companies are currently in discussions to expand shipbuilding and repair facilities in the region, creating significant job opportunities,” Forbes said, adding that early stage talks could lead to further employment growth.
The comments follow reporting by UK Defence Journal last year that Inchgreen’s revival had taken a significant step forward after £20 million in UK Government funding was confirmed to modernise the dry dock and surrounding infrastructure.
That investment, announced in the Autumn Budget, is intended to support new dock gates, pumping systems and workforce facilities, with work expected to complete by 2027. Local leaders have argued the redevelopment could anchor long term defence and maritime jobs on the Clyde. At the time, Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe described the funding as “a vote of confidence in the huge potential of Inverclyde,” while officials involved in the Inchgreen joint venture confirmed discussions with the Ministry of Defence on possible future use of the site.
I’m loving the “Maritime Tourism” sound,
Now where did we leave HMS Warspite again ? 🤔😁
I bet the people in those new house to the left are really really please that this is being proposed 🙂
Like we aren’t retiring enough naval wreckage at the moment to start a museum without digging for fragments in Cornwall! Unless you mean the sub, where I’d rather it were Conqueror.