Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited
Company type
Industry
Founded
1903
Headquarters
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland
Key people
Andrew Miller, Chair
David Tydeman (CEO)
Products
Shipbuilding, ship repair and manufacturing
Owner
Number of employees
Over 400
Lithgows (1961-1970)
Scott Lithgow (1970-1977)
British Shipbuilders (1977-1989) Clyde Blowers Capital (2014-2019)
Website
Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited is a shipbuilding company whose yard, located in Port Glasgow on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, was established in 1903. It is the last remaining shipbuilder on the lower Clyde and is currently the only builder of merchant ships on the river.
For some years the company's mainstay has been Roll-on/roll-off ferries, primarily for Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), including a series of innovative hybrid diesel-electric/battery-powered vessels. Beset with difficulties since 2018 over their latest two CalMac ferries, Fergusons' largest ever vessel, the shipyard was nationalised in December 2019. It is now classified as an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government.[1]
The Ferguson shipyard was founded as a partnership by four Ferguson Brothers (Peter, Daniel, Louis and Robert) who left the Fleming & Ferguson shipyard in Paisley to lease the Newark yard in Port Glasgow in March 1903.[2][3] Ferguson Brothers acquired the freehold in the yard in 1907 and was incorporated as Ferguson Brothers (Port Glasgow) Ltd in 1912.[3] The company was purchased by John Slater Ltd (Amalgamated Industries) in 1918[3] but returned to control of the Ferguson family in the late 1920s. Lithgows Ltd purchased an interest in the business after Bobby Ferguson's death in 1954[2] and took control of the Company in 1961.[3] Ferguson Brothers remained a separate entity within the Scott Lithgow group from 1969 to 1977.[2]
The company was nationalised and subsumed into British Shipbuilders in 1977,[3] then merged with the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company to form Ferguson-Ailsa Ltd in 1980.[2]
Ferguson and Ailsa were separated in 1986 when the latter yard was sold and Ferguson was merged with Appledore ShipbuildersinDevon to form Appledore Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd.[3] By the late 1980s only the Appledore Ferguson yards were still held in state ownership.[4] Ferguson was demerged from Appledore and acquired by Greenock-based engineering firm Clark Kincaid in 1989 then started trading as Ferguson Shipbuilders.[2][3]
Clark Kincaid itself was acquired by Kvaerner and became Kvaerner Kincaid in 1990,[5] and the Ferguson yard sold to Ferguson Marine plc in 1991.[3] The entire shareholding in Ferguson Marine was acquired by the Holland House Electrical Group in 1995.[6] The sign above the main gate continued the name Ferguson Shipbuilders Limited.[7] Between 2013 and 2016 the yard built three hybrid diesel-electric/battery powered ferries, beginning with Hallaig - the world's first.[8]
In August 2014, the shipyard placed the company into administration and the following month Clyde Blowers Capital, an industrial company owned by Jim McColl, purchased the yard for £600,000 and renamed it Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL).[7]
In August 2015, government-owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) announced that an order for two ferries for Caledonian MacBrayne service, capable of operating on either marine diesel oil or liquefied natural gas, had been won by Fergusons.[9] Originally intended for delivery during 2018, construction difficulties (the reasons for which are in dispute) led to a two-year delay for the first ship, Glen Sannox, which was launched in November 2017.[10][11]
FMEL was part of two consortia's bids for the programme for five type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy, worth some £1.25 billion. The consortia are those led by Babcock International and Atlas Elektronik UK.[12] After their bid was selected, a contract was formally awarded to Babcock Group on 15 November 2019, for an average production cost of £250 million per ship and an overall programme cost set to be £2 billion.[13]
On 30 October 2018, FMEL secured a contract to construct a large air cushioned barge for Mangistau ACV Solutions Ltd, part of the CMI Offshore Ltd Group, with estimated completion scheduled in 2019.[14] In December 2018 FMEL announced that two orders worth £5.4 million had been secured from Inverlussa Marine Services for fish farm support ships, to be completed in May 2019, and that three more for fishing vessels, totaling £11 million, were in the pipeline.[15] By July 2019 the ferry dispute had led to delays in closing the trawler contracts.[16]
Attempts by Clyde Blowers Capital to negotiate with the Scottish Government over increased costs and delays to ferries failed, and on 9 August 2019 the directors of FMEL gave notice that the company would be put into administration.[11] This led to a bitter dispute between the Scottish Government and the former owners of the shipyard.[17] A week later the Scottish Government announced that they would take over management of the yard to allow work to continue on current orders, and that if no private buyer could be found in four weeks, the yard would be nationalised by purchase.[18] At the start of December, after three private bids to purchase the yard were rejected as being insufficiently favourable to creditors, the government formally took ownership of the shipyard, and in the process wrote off about £50 million of previous loans.[19]
The newly nationalised shipyard was renamed Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd. on 2 December 2019.[19] The costs and viability of completing contracts was investigated, and Tim Hair was appointed as turnaround director. On 22 January 2020 he told a Scottish Parliament inquiry that the large ferries MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802 were "significantly less than half built", with 95% of their design still to be agreed with the client body Caledonian Maritime Assets. Additional naval architects and marine engineers had been engaged to complete this design work.[20]
In March 2020 Ferguson Marine announced that they had taken a four year lease on a large warehouse sited at Greenock waterfront, and would use it to consolidate stock and materials which had been stored in several warehouses near Glasgow Airport.[21] The large air cushioned barge for CMI Offshore Ltd (ordered from FMEL in 2018) was launched on 24 June 2020, to be taken to the Caspian Sea to be completed and outfitted for oil exploration work in that area.[22]
The company's board of directors with six non–executive members, including Alistair Mackenzie as chairman, was appointed in June 2020 by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop.[23]
In February 2021, the firm announced it would take on 120 additional workers with the intention of operating seven days per week.[24] The bulbous bow of Hull 802 was fitted in September 2021, and reported as a landmark in significant progress to both ships, deliveries of which by January 2022 were running up to five years late.[25][26]
Fergusons had bid for two new ferries to be ordered by CMAL, but was not included on the shortlist to submit detailed tenders.[27] On 16 December David Tydeman was appointed chief executive, to take over from Tim Hair in February 2022.[28]
On 16 March 2023, Tydeman wrote to Scottish Ministers requesting a reset of the timetable for delivery of the two ferries to no later than end 2023 for Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and no later than end 2024 for Hull 802. The shipyard is aiming to delivering earlier – Glen Sannox in autumn 2023 and Hull 802 before late summer 2024.[29]
In May 2023, Ferguson announced that it had secured an initial contract with BAE Systems to fabricate three steel units for HMS Belfast, the third City Class Type 26 frigate currently being constructed by BAE Systems.[30]
Reference[31]
Yard No.
Name
Type
Launch
Ordered By
Length x Breadth
Notes
727
Double Ended diesel electric hybrid RoPax Ferry
11 December 2015
43.5 x 12.2m
801
LNG/marine diesel hybrid RoPax Ferry
21 November 2017
102.4 x 17m
802
LNG/marine diesel hybrid RoPax Ferry
9 April 2024
102.4 x 17m
803
ACB Argymak
Air Cushion Barge
24 June 2020
Mangistau ACV Solutions Ltd (part of CMI Offshore Ltd Group)
55 x 24m
804
MVHelen Rice
Aquaculture Support Vessel
29 January 2020
Inverlussa Marine Services
21 x 8.35 m
805
MVKallista Helen
Aquaculture Support Vessel
15 March 2021
Inverlussa Marine Services
26.5 x 12 m
806
Cancelled
RoPax Ferry
N/A
N/A
Cancelled order, first steel cut October 2019
90007
Hunter's Quay Linkspan
RoRo Ferry Linkspan
N/A
Reference[35]
Yard No.
Name
Type
Launch
Ordered By
Length x Breadth
Notes
601
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
15 March 1991
54.2 x 13.4m
602
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
12 June 1991
54.2 x 13.4m
603
MVStar Pegasus
Offshore Supply vessel
22 January 1992
Star Offshore Services
68.83 x 17.5m
604
NLV Pharos
Lighthouse Tender
11 December 1992
78.2 x 14.1m
605
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
27 August 1992
Shetland Islands Council Ferries
32.45 x 10.7m
606
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
18 August 1993
83.6 / 93.2 x 17.5m
Lengthened by 9.6m in 2004 at Remontowa, Gdansk
607
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
28 April 1994
83.6 / 93.2 x 17.5m
Lengthened by 9.6m in 2003 at Remontowa, Gdansk
608
RoPax Ferry
18 April 1995
101.25 x 18m
609
MVTystie
Tug
3 August 1995
Shetland Towage Ltd
38.37 x 13.92m
610
MVDunter
Tug
25 October 1995
Shetland Towage Ltd
38.37 x 13.92m
611
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
23 November 1995
83.6 / 93.2 x 17.5m
Lengthened by 9.6m in 2005 at Remontowa, Gdansk
612
MVStirling Clyde
Offshore Supply vessel
17 May 1996
Stirling Offshore
83 x 19.19m
703
MVUKD Bluefin
Dredger
22 January 1997
98 x 18.2m
704
RVScotia
Research Vessel
4 July 1997
Marine Scotland
68.6 x 15m
Named on 21 May 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II
705
MVStirling Tay
Offshore Supply vessel
16 March 1998
Stirling Offshore
82.88 x 19.29m
706
MVStirling Spey
Offshore Supply vessel
11 September 1998
Stirling Offshore
82.88 x 19.29m
707
MVStirling Iona
Offshore Supply tug
28 September 1999
Stirling Shipping
73.8 x 16.3m
708
RoPax Ferry
2 August 2000
99 x 16m
Launched by Queen Elizabeth II
709
Lighthouse tender
18 April 2000
51.52 x 12.1m
710
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
12 March 2001
50 x 15m
711
MVStirling Jura
Offshore Supply tug
18 October 2001
Stirling Shipping
73.8 x 16.3m
712
Research Vessel
14 August 2002
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
72.92 x 16.11m
713
Cancelled
RoPax Ferry
N/A
112 x 18m
Ferguson's withdrew order in December 2000, 2 months after the order was announced. Became MV Hamnavoe built in Aker Finnyards, Finland.
714
FPV Minna
Fishery Patrol
3 February 2003
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
47.7 x 10m
715
MVSound of Shuna
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
14 August 2003
50 x 15m
716
MVSpirit of the Tay
Passenger Excursion
Shipped 2003
Loch Tay Steam Packet Co
35 x ?m
Meant to be for Loch Tay excursions but due to disputes after shipping abandoned by Loch Tay.
717
CFPlym II
Double Ended RoPax chain ferry
3 August 2004
Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Company
73 x 20.35m
718
CFTamar II
Double Ended RoPax chain ferry
31 August 2004
Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Company
73 x 20.35m
719
CFLynher II
Double Ended RoPax chain ferry
7 June 2005
Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Company
73 x 20.35m
720
FPV Jura
Fishery Patrol
28 April 2005
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
84 x 13.1m
721
Double Ended RoPax Ferry
8 December 2006
54.27 x 13.9m
722
MVArenig Fawr
Suction Dredger
2007
18.5 x 5m
725
Double Ended Diesel electric hybrid RoPax Ferry
17 December 2012
43.5 x 12.2m
World's first diesel electric hybrid ferry
726
Double Ended Diesel electric hybrid RoPax Ferry
23 May 2013
43.5 x 12.2m
Reference[36]
Yard No.
Name
Type
Launch
Ordered By
Length x Breadth
Notes
572
RoPax Ferry
8 December 1987
84.6 / 90.03 x 15.8m
Lengthened by 5.4m in 1988 by Tees Dockyard, Middlesbrough.
573
RoPax Ferry
7 March 1989
84.6 x 15.8m
Yard No.
Name
Type
Launch
Ordered By
Length x Breadth
Yard
Notes
491
RoPax Ferry
2 December 1983
84.9 x 16.2m
Port Glasgow
492
MVMwokozi
Firefighting Tug
18 May 1984
45.65 x 12.02m
Port Glasgow
558
MVStar Vega
Offshore Supply
1 November 1982
Star Offshore Services Marine Ltd
68.5 x 16.2m
Troon
559
MTTarihiko
LPG Tanker
29 March 1983
Liquigas Ltd
81.1 x 13.9m
Troon
560
MVSimba II
Firefighting Tug
21 October 1983
36 x 10.29m
Troon
561
MVNguvu II
Firefighting Tug
31 January 1984
36 x 10.29m
Troon
562
MVChui
Firefighting Tug
5 April 1984
36 x 10.29m
Troon
563
MVDuma
Firefighting Tug
28 June 1984
36 x 10.29m
Troon
564
MVFaru
Firefighting Tug
5 October 1984
36 x 10.29m
Port Glasgow
565
MVM.V.A.
Hopper Barge
11 February 1985
Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd
55.5 x 12.3m
Port Glasgow
566
Ferry
12 February 1985
Shetland Islands Council Ferries
30 x 9.6m
Troon
567
MVFort Resolution
Offshore Supply
17 October 1985
John Townsend Marine Ltd
65.36 x 13.06m
Port Glasgow
Converted into an Antarctic research vessel in 1988.
568
MVFort Reliance
Firefighting Offshore Supply
28 March 1986
John Townsend Marine Ltd
65.36 x 13.09m
Port Glasgow
Completed by Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd, being delivered in 1989. Converted into an ocean research vessel in 1989.
569
MVSeaforth Earl
Offshore Supply
3 October 1985
Seaforth Maritime Ltd
53.88 x 12.22m
Troon
570
MVSeaforth Baronet
Offshore Supply
7 March 1986
Seaforth Maritime Ltd
53.88 x 12.22m
Troon
571
Research vessel
11 August 1986
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
53.2 x 13.06m
Troon
Reference[39]
Yard No.
Name
Type
Launch
Ordered By
Length x Breadth
Notes
460
MVGilbert J Fowler
Sludge Carrier
23 September 1971
90.96 x 14.18m
461
DERV Scotia
Diesel Electric Research Vessel
25 March 1971
Secretary of State for Scotland
68.2 x 13.52m
462
NPD Brasilia
No Propulsion Dredger
7 December 1971
Portobras
68.88 x 11.89m
463
MVConsortium I
Sludge Carrier
29 February 1972
90.96 x 14.2m
464
MVSt Benedict
Fishing Trawler
30 August 1972
Thomas Hamling, Hull
65.44 x 12.65m
Converted into a Fishing Research vessel in 1987.
465
MVCambrae
Suction Hopper Dredger
18 January 1973
Civil & Marine Ltd, London
93.0 x 16.6m
466
MVGoth
Fishing Trawler
28 June 1973
British United Trawlers Finance, Grimsby
59.75 x 12.53m
467
MVRoman
Fishing Trawler
11 December 1973
British United Trawlers Finance, Grimsby
59.75 x 12.53m
468
MVSand Weaver
Suction Hopper Dredger
22 August 1974
South Coast Shipping Company, Southampton
91.5 x 16.7m
469
MVSeaforth Jarl
Offshore Supply
28 March 1975
Seaforth Maritime Ltd, Aberdeen
67.37 x 14.0m
Sank off Newfoundland due to shift of cargo of anchor chains in adverse weather on 18 December 1983.
470
MVSeaforth Highlander
Offshore Supply
9 October 1975
Seaforth Maritime Ltd, Aberdeen
67.37 x 14.0m
471
MVGardyloo
Sludge Carrier
4 February 1976
85.88 x 14.23m
472
NPD M.S.C. Ince
No Propulsion Dredger
28 June 1976
39.76 x 11.0m
473
MVThames
Sludge Carrier
24 September 1976
87.41 x 14.61m
Converted to an oil tanker in 1999. Scrapped in Aliaga in 2010.
474
MVClarknes
Bulk Carrier
5 September 1977
Jebsens (UK) Ltd
87.03 x 13.75m
475
MVClydenes
Bulk Carrier
30 September 1977
Jebsens (UK) Ltd / Scandinavian Leasing Ltd
87.03 x 13.75m
Subcontracted to Scotts Shipbuilding Company, Greenock. Next two vessels in the order cancelled, were meant to be 476 & 477.[40]
476
SSLady Chilel Jawara
Ferry
29 March 1978
Gambia Government, Ports Authority
45.78 x 9.21m
Ran aground then sank in River Gambia on 7 December 1984
477
NPB M.S.C. No. 51
No Propulsion Barge
24 January 1978
39.63 x 9.12m
478
NPB M.S.C. No. 52
No Propulsion Barge
22 March 1978
39.63 x 9.12m
479
NPB M.S.C. No. 53
No Propulsion Barge
26 May 1978
39.63 x 9.12m
480
MVMlawa
Bulk Carrier
2 February 1979
Polish Steamship Co, Stettin
87.99 x 14.6m
481
MVZgorzelec
Bulk Carrier
21 September 1979
Polish Steamship Co, Stettin
87.99 x 14.6m
482
MVAuricula
Sonar Trials Vessel
11 November 1979
?
483
MVSulisker
Fishery Patrol
27 June 1980
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Scotland
?
484
MVDonald Redford
Grab Hopper Dredger
26 November 1980
Manchester Ship Canal Co. Ltd
54 x ?m
Lengthened and converted to suction dredging in 1990.
485
MTTraquair
Gas Tanker
21 August 1981
Anchor Line Ltd
113.69 x 18.29m
Her aft part was built at Ailsa Shipbuilders, Troon, yard 557. Both were launched on the same day, being completed at Ferguson's.[41]
486
Firefighting Tug
2 July 1981
Clyde Shipping Company Ltd
37.95 x 9.68m
On 19 December 2007, she was girted by bulk carrier MV Red Jasmine and subsequently capsized and sunk on the River Clyde.[42]
487
MVVigilant
Fishery Patrol
26 March 1982
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Scotland
71.4 x 11.71m
488
MVStar Capella
Offshore Supply
23 September 1982
Star Offshore Services Marine Ltd
61.5 x 15.51m
489
MVTirrick
Tug
1 February 1983
Shetland Towage Ltd
37.44 x 11.82m
490
MVShalder
Tug
30 March 1983
Shetland Towage Ltd
37.44 x 11.82m
Ferry fiasco - for the Scottish political controversy around the construction of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.
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