Greenock Telegraph | News | Yard order will secure 100 jobs

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Friday, 15th February, 2002 00:00

Yard order will secure 100 jobs

A PORT Glasgow yard celebrated today after clinching a £8 million deal to build a ship for the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency.

Ferguson's managing director Richard Dean said that this would secure a 100 jobs for a year.

But he warned that more orders are needed to secure the future of the yard.

He said: "This is the fulfilment of three years work. It will preserve employment in the short term, but is not sufficient for our needs in the long term."

The ship will replace the Westra, the oldest vessel in the agency's offshore fleet. It is believed that all ships in the fleet will have to be scrapped in the near future and Ferguson's will be hoping to secure further orders.

Ross Finnie, minister of environment and rural development, said: "It was absolutely a great thrill to be advised that my local yard Ferguson's had put in the best bid.

"It is one of the most satisfying decisions I have taken as a minister, authorising my officials to finalise the contract with Ferguson's.

"I add my congratulations to them and the workforce."

Trish Godman MSP for West Renfewshire said: "I'm absolutely delighted that this order has come to Ferguson's. It is a great yard - a gem on the lower Clyde.

"I worked alongside Wendy Alexander and Ross Finnie to fight for Ferguson's to get this order.

"The whole fleet of navy protection vessels has to be replaced in the near future, and I'm hoping that Ferguson's will be in with a shout for that."

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