Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain today visited Ferguson Marine Shipyard to view the progress on the long-delayed and overbudget vessels 801 and 802.
He has welcomed the progress made under the new management of David Tydeman, however called on the Scottish Government to “come clean” on its role in the huge financial overspend that took place at the yard.
Edward Mountain MSP last visited the shipyard in 2020 in his capacity as the Convenor of the REC Committee, which was undertaking its Ferries Inquiry at the time.
The REC Committee’s report had concluded that the process to procure and construct vessels 801 and 802 was a “catastrophic failure”.
Following the visit Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“I was delighted to be in Port Glasgow today to see how ferries 801 and 802 are progressing and I would like to thank David Tydeman for hosting my visit.
“It’s clear to me that 802 is progressing in a staged way, which is a credit to the management and people within the yard. If only this had happened during the construction of 801, it might have been launched over two years ago.
“I was pleased to see all that the current management is achieving, however, we cannot forget the failures of the previous seven years.
“There have been significant errors made under FMEL’s management and the Scottish Government’s management under Tim Hair. Not only in the construction of 801, but also in the sequencing of the construction and that’s been a real problem. It is one of the reasons for the long delivery delays as well as the huge financial overspend, which the SNP Government still needs to come clean on.”
Looking ahead to the shipyard’s future, Edward Mountain MSP said:
“From what I’ve seen and learnt today on my visit, I believe the yard has a future designing and building ferries for Scotland’s ferry fleet. There is also scope to do this in conjunction with working with other companies who are involved in the MOD’s naval shipbuilding programme too.
“I wish David Tydeman well in transforming the fortunes of the shipyard and also in delivering vessels 801 and 802 to the current schedule and within the current budget.”
