WESTERN Ferries is planning to install new berthing equipment – and Ferguson Marine of Port Glasgow could be in the running for the multi-million pound contract.

The ferry firm has held talks with Ferguson’s about putting new berthing structures and linkspans in place at McInroy’s Point and Hunter’s Quay. 

Western Ferries operates 32,000 crossings a year and has two berthing structures and linkspans on either side, having enlisted Ferguson’s to work on earlier upgrades when the shipyard was under previous ownership in 2006 and 2007.

It is hoped the latest work will be completed by this autumn.

Ferguson Marine managing director, Liam Campbell, said: “Ferguson’s built the two original Western Ferries vessels and, as one of our most valued customers, we look forward to being part of their continued growth and development.”

Mr Campbell says this will be a very significant year in the rebirth of Ferguson Marine.

He said: “Over the last two years we have been overwhelmed by the local and national support we have received from the shipping industry, supporting us in our vision of re-establishing commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde and bringing sustainable employment to our growing workforce.”

Meanwhile Western’s managing director, Gordon Ross, said his company had enjoyed a ‘good solid year’.

He was commenting in the latest accounts, which showed a drop in pre-tax profit from £2.7 million to £2.6m in the year ended March 31.

Turnover rose by 1.6 per cent to £7.86m. 

Operating expenditure rose from £5m to £5.3m, which reflected investment made to refurbish the passenger lounges in the two vessels it acquired from Ferguson in 2001 and 2003.

Mr Ross said Western was now seeing the benefits of the two most recent vessels it acquired for a total of £8m from Cammell Laird in 2013.

He said: “We have just gone through two periods of inclement weather, therefore to achieve 99.8 per cent reliability is a very, very strong performance. It is testament to the vessels and the professionalism of the crew.”