THE Scottish Government has
been urged to think twice about nationalising the last commercial shipyard on the lower Clyde.
Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny warned the move could put Ferguson Marine back into decline following an initial closure in 2014.
The Scottish Government is reported to be considering buying the shipyard after a row over the building of two west coast ferries for CalMac, in which the asking price rose to nearly double the original asking price.
Jim McColl, who rescued the yard from collapse five years ago, stands to lose tens of millions of pounds.
But McEleny has called on ministers to work with McColl to ensure the long-term survival and growth of the site.
“The choice is clear, manage the yard into decline and consign it to history, or do a sensible deal that will enable expansion towards a very bright future,” McEleny said.
“In 2014, the last commercial shipyard on the lower Clyde faced extinction. Thanks to Jim McColl, with the support of Alex Salmond, we managed to save it.”
McEleny warned that the shipyard could end up like Prestwick Airport – which the Scottish Government put up for sale in June after it amassed around £50 million in debt. He also said site’s ability to bid for work would be reduced if it is nationalised.
“A great workforce, who’ve been backed by some top shop stewards, face the prospect of having to watch their yard close again,” McEleny added.
“The alternative, though, can see the yard grow to become the economic powerhouse of the Lower Clyde.
“If the Scottish Government agree to work with Jim McColl to get past this impasse, we can then get on with the job of building a CalMac fleet for the future.
“If Ferguson’s was awarded the contracts to build an entire new fleet of CalMac vessels, that would provide 20 years of security on the Lower Clyde.”
“With that foundation Ferguson Marine could expand at a phenomenal rate by bidding for more work from across the world.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel