A leading trade union has demanded that the Scottish Government “urgently” act to secure the future of Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.
Labour MSP Richard Leonard presented a report from the Public Audit Committee in Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon, calling on the government to publish the shipyard’s business plan and strategy ‘as soon as possible’.
Reacting to the debate, GMB Scotland Louise Gilmour said that the ‘alarm’ had been sounded about Ferguson Marine’s future, as the publicly-owned shipyard continues to lose out on significant contracts.
She said: “The committee's report demanded swift and effective action from the Scottish Government but, in the six months since, we have heard only excuses and seen no action at all.”
Summing up the work of the committee earlier on Tuesday, Leonard remarked:
“We went to Port Glasgow and spoke to the workers and the managers. We produced our own report because we do not want this yard to fail. We want it to succeed.
“Without urgent investment and without new orders, the yard may not survive. This report is about securing the yard’s figure.
He added: “When the Deputy First Minister says that out of £14.2m set aside for capital investment; only £570,000 has been spent, the committee is alarmed.
“The Scottish Government and FMPG must publish FMPG’s strategy and revised business plan as soon as possible.”
Responding to Leonard, Kate Forbes said she recognised frustrations expressed by island communities over high-profile and costly delays to the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries.
She remarked that Ferguson Marine’s board had recruited fresh leadership and strengthened its governance.
Forbes said: “Shipbuilding is a competitive global market, and any public contract award must fully comply with procurement and subsidy control rules, or it means it will be the worst of both worlds – no work for Ferguson Marine and ships not being built.
“There is still much to do at Ferguson Marine, but strengthened leadership, firmer governance, targeted investment and clearer strategic planning provide a more stable foundation for the yards’ future.”
Gilmour said that the government must do more to secure future orders at the yard, noting:
“Scotland has a publicly-owned shipyard which successfully built small ferries for generations and a publicly-owned ferry company that urgently needs them. It is not that complicated.
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She added: “If the Scottish Government has a plan for Ferguson Marine, it is beyond time to reveal it. If it has not, why not?
“The islanders of Scotland and the skilled workers of Ferguson Marine need far better than this and they need it urgently.”
The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.
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