Ferguson to Build Two CalMac Ferries
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Scottish minister Nicola Sturgeon have named Ferguson shipyard as the preferred bidder for a £97 million contract for the biggest new ferries on the Clyde since 2001 in a deal that could secure more than 150 jobs.
The move will provide boost for shipbuilding in the civilian shipyard on the River Clyde Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) and the local economy around a year after the owners of the shipyard went into administration.
Ferguson was taken over by Clyde Blowers billionaire and former Scottish independence supporter Jim McColl last year.
The two new ships will both be approximately 330ft long and capable of 16 knots with space for 127 cars or 16 HGV’s or a combination of both and up to 1000 passengers.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and CalMac Ferries, both wholly owned by the Scottish Government, have overseen the design and tendering of the two large dual fuel ferries.
It is anticipated that the first vessel will enter service early in 2018, with the second following a few months later. It is likely that the first ship will initially serve on the Ardrossan to Arran route, using the new port facilities being built at Brodick. The second vessel is destined for the Uig Triangle between Skye, North Uist and Harris.
First Minister Sturgeon said: "This is an excellent result for Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited and I am delighted to name them as preferred tenderer for the contract to build two new ferries, the largest commercial vessels to be built on the Clyde since 2001. Today's announcement proves that Scottish shipbuilding can succeed in a competitive market, with the FMEL team submitting the highest quality bid that offered best value for money."