THE Scottish Government will 'leave no stone unturned' in securing a future for Ferguson's says the government's wellbeing economy secretary Màiri McAllan.
Concerns have grown about the Port shipyard's fate after ministers failed to immediately back an uncontested contract to build a fleet of seven lifeline ferries that would secure a pipeline of work.
The public spending regulator Audit Scotland has highlighted a 'significant degree of uncertainty' over the yard without financial support to secure its future.
Union leaders fear that when a decision is made by ministers, it will announce the contract for the small vessels needed for CalMac will go to a competitive tender, ruling out a direct award to the yard to safeguard hundreds of jobs.
READ MORE: Auditors register 'significant uncertainty' on Ferguson Marine future
But when quizzed by MSPs at Holyrood over the aftermath of the launch of MV Glen Rosa, Ms McAllan said: "We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to securing a sustainable future for Ferguson Marine."
The Tele recently reported how she has also agreed to attend a cross-party summit where crucial talks will be held on how to deliver new contracts for the troubled shipyard.
READ MORE: New fears for future of Ferguson Marine after ScotGov announcement
She told MSPs: "When we made our decision to take Ferguson Marine into public ownership, we were clear that we've done so to protect jobs and vital skills and my comments [at the Glen Rosa launch] reaffirmed our continuing commitment to shipbuilding and Scotland."
She said that an updated business plan over future investment in the yard has been received by the Scottish Government and that it was being considered 'speedily'.
Plans to begin procurement of a new wave of initially seven vital lifeline ferries for Scotland's islanders have already been delayed by nearly two years.
Unions have said that decisions over the potential to directly award the ferries contract to Ferguson Marine need to be taken soon, as workers are already being seconded to other yards, which risks it losing the necessary skills and experience.
The board of the loss-making yard admitted in November that a lack of financial support from ministers had cast a 'significant doubt' on the firm's ability to continue operations.
Ferguson Marine made a net loss of £1.3m in 2022/23 and failed to get an investment of £25m to support future work.
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