(Image: NQ)
Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited is the last remaining commercial shipbuilder on the lower Clyde and is a publicly owned shipbuilder that plays an important role in Scotland's maritime industry.
Based at the historic Newark yard in Port Glasgow, founded in 1903 when the four Ferguson brothers leased the site and began building tugs, workboats and later ferries, the business was taken into full public ownership in December 2019 after Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd entered administration.
Read on for the latest Ferguson Marine news, ferry contract developments, political scrutiny, workforce issues and investment plans at the yard.
Latest Ferguson Marine news
As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest Ferguson Marine news stories.
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Latest Ferguson Marine news, interviews and updates on the shipyard
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Ferguson Marine leadership
Graeme Thomson is Ferguson Marine’s chief executive officer, who took up the role on 1 May 2025 after joining from Babcock.
Graeme Thomson (Image: Ferguson Marine)
Mr Thomson's appointment came days after the yard missed out on a major contract for seven new small, fully electric vessels for CalMac, which went instead to Polish yard Remontowa Shipbuilding.
He will oversee the delivery of the much-delayed CalMac ferry, MV Glen Rosa , as well as aiming to secure sustainable and new contracts.
He said: “I’m thoroughly excited and enthused to be taking on the role as chief executive officer of Ferguson Marine, a cornerstone of Scotland’s rich maritime history and an important employer in Inverclyde.
“The business, and its people, have faced challenging times but as we look forward we must focus on delivering key contracts that demonstrate our capability to exceed expectations and build world-class ships on the Clyde.”
Ferguson Marine criticisms and controversies
The state-owned shipyard is facing several difficulties, primarily due to financial sustainability.
Its failure to win a contract for seven new small ferries for CalMac from Scotland to Poland was a big blow and has left hundreds of jobs at stake.
The contract was a key part of the firm's five-year recovery strategy after delays and cost overruns in the construction of two much larger ferries for CalMac, the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.
The MV Glen Sannox (Image: Jane Barlow)
In building the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries, the shipyard has run into major cost overruns.
The contract was awarded by CMAL in 2015.
The ferries were originally scheduled for completion in 2018 with a budget of £97 million, although the costs are believed to have quadrupled.
Glen Sannox entered passenger service on the Arran route in January 2025, while Glen Rosa is now expected to be delivered in 2026 after further delays and cost increases.
There are also concerns about Ferguson Marine's operational efficiency , as these delays and cost overruns have put a spotlight on its project management issues, along with concerns about leadership stability with a series of executive and managerial changes.
The Scottish Government announced last July plans to invest £14.2 million in the shipyard, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stating that the investment would be focused on modernisation and improving productivity .
Ministers have also said that talks were at the final stages with BAE Systems about the shipyard being awarded further work on the Type 26 Frigate programme.