BBC Scotland news reported that the nationalised Ferguson shipyard has lost a significant order for seven small all-electric ferries for Caledonian MacBrayne. Instead, the Ferries procurement agency CMAL has selected a Polish firm, Remontowa, as the preferred bidder for the small vessels replacement programme (SVRP). Despite Ferguson’s vows to aggressively bid for the contract and making it onto a shortlist of six bidders, the order has been awarded to Remontowa. The contract is part of a £175m allocation to build new “loch class” vessels and complete upgrades to harbor and shore power, with the first ferries expected to join the CalMac fleet in 2027.
Following delays and cost overruns in the construction of larger ferries for CalMac, the contract was a crucial part of Ferguson Marine’s five-year business plan. The Port Glasgow shipyard had hoped that winning this contract for the all-electric ferries would provide a pipeline of repeatable work for several years. However, Ferguson’s is now exploring other business opportunities, including defense sub-contracting work with BAE Systems and private sector projects. Remontowa, based in Gdansk, has a history of building CalMac ferries and was the runner-up when contracts for MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa were awarded in 2015.
CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs explained that the bids were evaluated based on a variety of technical and financial criteria, with a focus on quality and cost. Remontowa was selected based on its previous successful work with CMAL, including the delivery of the MV Finlaggan in 2011. The new all-electric ferries will operate on various routes, contributing to reduced carbon emissions from Scotland’s ferry fleet and promoting more sustainable ferry travel. While Ferguson Marine and local supporters had lobbied for the contract to be awarded directly to the shipyard, concerns over UK subsidy control laws led to the decision for a competitive tender process.
Inverclyde’s Labour MP Martin McCluskey criticized the Scottish government for awarding the contract to a Polish firm rather than supporting Port Glasgow. Emphasizing the social impact of not awarding the contract to Ferguson’s, McCluskey highlighted the importance of considering the workers and the community they serve. Despite facing challenges with previous ferry construction projects, Ferguson’s has a strong workforce and track record of building significant vessels for CalMac. The future of the shipyard remains uncertain as it strives to overcome past issues and secure new opportunities in the maritime industry
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