Ferguson Marine Shipyard's Turbulent History and Future

Ferguson Marine Shipyard has a complex and tumultuous history, marked by significant milestones and setbacks. The shipyard was founded in 1847 by Robert Napier, and it quickly established itself as a major player in the shipbuilding industry.

In the late 19th century, Ferguson Marine began to focus on building ocean liners, with the iconic RMS Lusitania being one of its most notable projects. Unfortunately, the shipyard's fortunes began to decline in the mid-20th century, and it eventually went into liquidation in 1963.

The shipyard's history is a reminder that even the most successful companies can face significant challenges and setbacks.

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Ferguson Marine has a complex history that's worth exploring. The company was nationalised and merged with the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company to form Ferguson-Ailsa Ltd in 1980.

In 1977, the company was nationalised, and in 1980, it merged with the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company. This marked a significant shift in the company's structure.

In 2019, Ferguson Marine bid for the programme to build five type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy, but the contract was awarded to Babcock Group on 15 November 2019. This was a major setback for the company.

The company was later renamed Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd after a commercial transaction in 2019. This change marked a new era for the company.

Ferguson Marine has faced significant challenges, including delays in completing contracts. In January 2020, the company's turnaround director, Tim Hair, revealed that the large ferries MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802 were "significantly less than half built".

The company has made efforts to adapt and recover. In June 2020, a new board of directors was appointed, including Alistair Mackenzie as chairman. This was a significant step towards stabilising the company.

Ferguson Marine has also expanded its operations. In February 2021, the company announced plans to take on 120 additional workers, with the intention of operating seven days per week. This move was aimed at increasing productivity and efficiency.

The company has made progress in recent years, including the successful launch of several vessels. In January 2022, the bulbous bow of Hull 802 was fitted, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the ferry.

Ferguson Marine has been in the news lately, with several developments that are worth sharing.

The company has been working on a new ferry project, the MV Yell, which is expected to be completed in 2023.

Ferguson Marine's financial struggles have been well-documented, with the company facing significant financial challenges in recent years.

The Scottish Government has provided Ferguson Marine with a £45 million loan to help the company complete the MV Yell ferry.

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Ferguson Marine has been making progress on its dual fuel ferry project, with significant milestones achieved in recent months. The installation of the bulbous bow on Hull 802 marks a major step forward in the construction of the ship.

The shipyard has been working to complete the vessels, with a new commercial strategy in place to secure the yard's future. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the appointment of Graeme Thomson as the new boss of the shipyard, citing his over 20 years of international leadership experience in shipbuilding, energy, and defence sectors.

Ferguson Marine has also secured contracts worth over £15 million with Scottish companies to continue progress with the completion of the two dual fuel vessels. The contracts include the supply of electrical and control equipment, outfit of the passenger areas, and manufacture of pipework.

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Port Glasgow Ltd has been making significant strides in the shipbuilding industry. The company was formed in December 2019 after a commercial transaction nationalized the shipyard.

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd has been working on several projects, including the large ferries MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802. These vessels were significantly less than half built as of January 2020.

In addition to the ferries, the shipyard has also been working on smaller projects, such as the 21-metre fish farm workboat named Helen Rice. This vessel was launched in January 2020 and completed sea trials in March of the same year.

The company's board of directors was appointed in June 2020, with Alistair Mackenzie serving as chairman. Ferguson Marine has also taken on additional workers, with 120 new hires announced in February 2021.

The shipyard has faced delays in delivering the MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802, with deliveries running up to five years late as of January 2022. However, the company is aiming to deliver the vessels earlier than initially planned.

In May 2023, Ferguson Marine secured an initial contract with BAE Systems to fabricate steel units for HMS Belfast, the third City Class Type 26 frigate.

The installation of the bulbous bow on Hull 802 marks a significant milestone in the dual fuel ferry project.

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) has completed this major step, moving the project forward.

In recent weeks, three stern units have been lifted into place on Hull 802.

These units will house the steering gear and other equipment and support the car deck and stern ramp when finished.

The bulbous bow installation is a key component of Hull 802's design, enhancing its stability and efficiency in the water.

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Ferguson Marine has announced a further delay to the two vessels under construction for CMAL/Calmac, with the first vessel GLEN SANNOX now due between Autumn 2023 and the end of 2023.

The vessels have been over 5 years late, with the most recent delivery dates being May 2023 and March 2024.

Ferguson Marine's yard was forced to close for three months and work was restricted for at least another three months, leading to the latest delays.

The cost of the project to deliver the ferries remains unchanged at £110.3m.

GLEN SANNOX is now due for delivery between April 2022 and June 2022, a significant change from the previous delivery dates.