FERGUSON’S shipyard of Port Glasgow has joined a team bidding for the £1.25 billion contract to build the UK’s new frigates.

Engineering giant Babcock International will lead a consortium which wants to construct the Ministry of Defence’s Type 31e light warships.

It has joined forces with defence supplier Thales, BMT, Harland & Wolff and Ferguson Marine to form ‘Team 31’.
Inverclyde’s MP Ronnie Cowan says he is delighted that Ferguson’s is in the running to be involved in the huge project.

He said: “I’m pleased to learn that Ferguson Marine is part of a team of industry partners who will bid for the MOD’s new Type 31e general purpose light frigate programme. 

“Having Ferguson Marine involved and representing the Inverclyde area in this process will enhance the yard’s status. 

“It’s clear that Ferguson Marine have the skills and facilities to produce world class products befitting a major defence project such as the frigates.

“Ferguson Marine can keep Inverclyde and the lower Clyde on the shipbuilding map.

“I look forward to learning more about the bid and what it could mean for the yard and workforce.”

Babcock is to act as the overall leader for the team.
A statement from them said: “The make-up of the team will ensure that the economic benefits of the programme are shared across the UK. 

“Ferguson Marine on the Clyde, Harland & Wolff in Belfast and the Babcock facilities in Fife and Devon will all have key roles to play, while much of the equipment provided by Thales and others will support jobs across the UK.”