Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, has announced a delay in spending plans for the replacement of Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) ageing small ferries, thereby saving £41m. Instead, spending will now begin in the next financial year, following the “reprofiling” of the small vessels replacement plan, along with harbour upgrades at Ardrossan and Gourock. The first phase of the small vessels replacement programme (SVRP) would entail the removal and replacement of seven ferries with all-electric boats, with another three to follow in phase two. One such ferry has already been in service for 47 years. The procurement of the replacement fleet is expected to start in the coming weeks.
The nationalized Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, which is still building overdue ferries Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, is hopeful of winning the contract to build CalMac’s new fleet of small ferries. The postponed contract will thus be crucial for the yard’s future as it would potentially secure work that is well within the capability of the small Inverclyde shipyard.
Ms. Robison points out that re-profiling would allow additional time for the consideration of the business case, vessel design criteria, and alignment of related shore power and port improvement works. Additionally, the minister revealed £34m of “reprofiled” savings on port works, including a review of plans to redevelop Ardrossan and Gourock, which require major works, such as the installation of LNG refuelling facilities for the two new ferries, Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.
David Tydeman, the chief executive of Ferguson Marine, has requested £25m for investment in new equipment and software. However, the Scottish government has turned down his request, despite the company’s need for more productivity and competitiveness in the open market
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