Dark clouds over Ferguson Shipyard

Nearly two weeks ago the last remaining shipyard on the lower Clyde went into receivership with the loss of up to 80 jobs.

I pass Ferguson Shipyard in Port Glasgow every day on my drive into work. As I was a Naval Architect at Scott Lithgows in the 1970s I feel some empathy for the yard and the workforce. In the 1970s Ferguson's was part of the Scott Lithgow Group.

The staff at the shipyard thought that maybe the yard was going to be sold but there was no indication it was going to close. Since the 1980s our shipbuilding industry has been decimated by successive governments. This is a bit ironic for an island nation.

Ferguson Shipbuilders is a leading name in the industry with a rich heritage dating back more than 110 years and is the last commercial shipbuilder operating on the River Clyde.

A lot of effort has gone on in the background to save the yard and a week ago the Joint Administrators announced that four bids had been received.

The good news is that Clyde Blowers Capital, which was founded by Jim McColl, was selected by administrators. Talks are taking place between Clyde Blowers Capital and administrators KPMG with a view to completing the sale of the business. So lets hope the dark clouds can be lifted and the yard gets a reprieve.