Ferguson Marine, the state-owned shipyard in Port Glasgow, is set to cut nearly a quarter of its workforce. The firm, which currently employs 283 staff including 34 apprentices, expects to shed 70 posts through a voluntary redundancy process.
The redundancies are being sought as construction on the second of two long-delayed CalMac ferries, MV Glen Rosa, draws to a close. The MV Glen Rosa is due for completion by the end of this year, following the delivery of MV Glen Sannox in November 2024.
The Scottish government had previously announced plans to directly award the yard contracts for four future vessels, including two small CalMac ferries, a fisheries research ship, and a marine protection vessel. However, these contracts have not yet been confirmed, with ministers stating that "due diligence" is still being carried out.
Ferguson Marine recently completed sub-contracting work for BAE Systems but currently has no confirmed future orders. Even if new contracts were awarded soon, at least a year of design work would be required before steel cutting could begin.