The launch of the second vessel, the Glen Rosa, initially due on March 12, has now been delayed to April 9 to permit Glen Sannox to stay on the shipyard’s quayside for an prolonged interval. When first contracted, the 2 ferries have been lauded as “inexperienced ships” resulting from their hybrid engines that may alternate between Liquefied Pure Fuel and traditional marine diesel. The undertaking has been marred by disputes, significantly over the brand new gasoline system’s complexity and regulatory calls for. Regardless of these challenges, there’s purpose to be optimistic.
Learn extra: Ferguson Marine: Glen Sannox units sail on first spherical of sea trials
David Tydeman, CEO of Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, just lately expressed his hope to safe additional substantial work from the Royal Navy’s Sort 26 Frigate programme, probably utilising over half the yard’s capability. Regardless of the uncertainties surrounding the way forward for the shipyard, Tydeman was assured about this Royal Navy work supporting the yard throughout a current Public Audit Committee assembly.
“Now we have been planning for a while,” he mentioned, “and I’m delighted that we have been capable of signal a framework settlement with BAE Programs.”
In line with Tydeman, the settlement with BAE Programs would assist deal with the workforce surplus on the Ferguson Marine yard as work on two ferries progressively winds down over the following 12 months. He additional added: “Each these yards (BAE and Babcock) have extra work than they will do on their websites – as I mentioned, it is a buoyant time within the shipbuilding market – they want supporting contractors.”
Ferguson Marine began work on the primary sections for a Sort 26 Frigate final yr. When it comes to scale, Mr Tydeman in contrast the extra, potential future work from the Sort 26 programme to ongoing tasks at Ferguson. “Hull 802 will probably be about 3,000 tonnes of weight when she launches down the slipway later this yr, and a bow block unit for sort 26 ship 4 – which we hope to do with BAE – will probably be about 900 tonnes,” he acknowledged. Elaborating on this, he mentioned: “A programme of labor with BAE can use greater than half the capability of the yard, and I hope that we will complement that with the CMAL small ferry programme.”
Learn extra: Name to save lots of Ferguson Marine as fears develop over new ferries contract
Moreover, he talked about that the corporate is actively monitoring alternatives available in the market. “Now we have a small business workforce that’s monitoring the market and we now have been placing in proposals to the patrol craft market,” Mr Tydeman disclosed. There are additionally ongoing discussions with operators within the wind farm market, offering potential long-term work. “The primary of these ships could possibly be inbuilt 2027. That doesn’t fill the rapid hole, however… that could be a very vital alternative for us sooner or later.”
He has additionally mentioned that the Ministry of Defence work might probably present a “strong base” for the way forward for the Port Glasgow ferry builders. Mr Tydeman insisted the shipyard was now in significantly better form and was able to re-establish its status with new orders.
“Now we have the chance, beginning with 802 over the following yr, to indicate we’re pretty much as good as we have been 10 years in the past,” he mentioned.
He added that, regardless of the difficulties with the present CalMac ships, the yard can also be hopeful of future work for the state-run ferry operator, significantly for smaller vessels just like ferries the yard has efficiently delivered prior to now. “They’re precisely in our candy spot of what we might do nicely. We’ve simply bought to cost them correctly and ship them on time – and win some hearts and minds to present us that contract,” Mr Tydeman mentioned.
On a brighter observe for the yard, Ferguson Marine just lately introduced that it meant to proceed work with defence contractor BAE Programs “to re-engage with them as a supply-chain companion” for the eight complicated Sort 26 Frigates being constructed upriver. Ferguson says that this third-party work will contribute hundreds of thousands to the prices of working the shipyard and assist maintain workforce abilities. Fortunately for them, they bought the work.
Not solely have they been getting the work, the workforce themselves are engaged on this effort in a approach that enhances their very own abilities as Ferguson Marine staff have been seconded to BAE Govan since January 2023. The corporate just lately reassured stakeholders that the secondment doesn’t divert assets away from the completion of the ferry tasks however as an alternative permits for information switch and upskilling of the workforce throughout the business, a vital consider guaranteeing the shipyard stays aggressive in securing future contracts.
The third-party work on behalf of the army shipbuilder upriver in Govan requires high quality, precision and exacting requirements. It’s a really large deal in terms of sustaining the way forward for the Port Glasgow yard and it demonstrates the belief the shipbuilding business has within the Port Glasgow shipyard.
It’s no secret that the 2 vessels, Glen Rosa and the Glen Sannox, will probably be over price range and late. I consider the yard will, regardless of the entire setbacks, climate the storm it’s at the moment going through. Industrial exercise on the yard is rising and if current statements are something to go by, I believe the transparency the yard now seems to be dedicated to reveals a much more skilled state of affairs than the yard’s workforce endured beforehand. Sure, there are setbacks – huge setbacks really – however reality is the most important shipbuilder within the nation has given them a vote of confidence and that speaks volumes.
George Allison is the editor of the UK Defence Journal
