Greene challenges First Minister on SNP failure to support Scottish shipbuilding

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson and West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has today challenged the First Minister over the SNP’s failure to support Scottish shipbuilding, following the news that two new freight vessels for the Northern Isles will be built in China and Turkey.  

Earlier this week, Transport Scotland revealed that two new Northern Isles freight vessels will be built in either Turkey or China.

Four companies will be invited to submit tenders for the contracts, two of which are in China, while the remaining two are in Turkey.

The publicly owned Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow is still waiting to receive most of the £14.2 million investment for vital upgrades. This was promised by SNP ministers more than a year ago.  

The Scottish Government’s letter of comfort to Ferguson, which provides financial guarantees and support to the shipyard, expires in October 2025.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Jamie Greene said:

“The First Minister will be aware that the shortlist for the two new freight vessels for the Northern Isles will be announced shortly. I welcome that the new vessels are coming.

“But it’s been reported that that shortlist will contain two yards in China and two yards in Turkey. Meanwhile, we do have a shipyard some 70 miles from this parliament that is owned by the Scottish Government, funded by the Scottish taxpayer and is absolutely desperate for new work.

“First Minister, my question is simply when will Scottish Government procurement policy give adequate weighting to the economic benefits that awarding Scottish shipyards some contracts would reap? And when will he give this yard some contracts finally?”

Speaking after the exchange, Jamie Greene said:

“The SNP have sent votes of confidence in shipbuilding across the globe, but very little in our own. Promised government investment in Ferguson lies at the bottom of the sea floor, and we still have no clarity about what awaits the yard once key financial guarantees run out in a matter of days.

“We urgently need a clear timeline for when fresh guarantees can be provided and when the yard can expect the promised but as yet undelivered investment it needs to thrive.

“Ministers must also explain to taxpayers how large the blank cheque really is when it comes to keeping Ferguson open without any major new contracts.”