“Shameful” SNP mismanagement leaves shipyard hung out to dry

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson and candidate for Inverclyde Jamie Greene has today said that because of "shameful" SNP mismanagement the government’s own shipyard is unable to bid to build boats for key Scottish routes.

Ferguson Marine said it was unable to bid to build a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles because it does meet eligibility rules set by ferries procurement agency, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) which ask for a minimum of two examples of ships longer than 75m delivered by the shipyard in the past five years, not including ongoing projects.

Ferguson Marine delivered MV Glen Sannox in November 2024 but MV Glen Rosa is not due for delivery until the end of this year, despite being ordered in October 2015.

Jamie Greene said:

“This feels like the final farcical fallout from the SNP’s pitiful management of our ferries.

“Because of their shameful mismanagement, the Glen Rosa is so late to be delivered that it cannot be used as evidence to support a bid for a contract from their own ferry building agency. It’s a slap in the face to the workers. The people of Inverclyde deserve better than this shambles.

“Scotland was a proud shipbuilding nation and the SNP have utterly ruined that reputation at enormous cost to both shipyard workers and islanders.

“Ferguson Marine needs contracts if it is to have a future. Scottish Liberal Democrats would deliver those contracts as part of a rolling programme of ferry replacement. If you want to end the era of SNP mismanagement, you should vote Scottish Liberal Democrat on both your ballots at this election.”