Last independent Clyde shipyard goes bust

[Rob Lightbody]

A very, very sad day on the Clyde. My brother worked at Fergusons for a time, and I've seen and travelled on ships built there. I hope something can be done.

Jobs lost as shipbuilder goes bust http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-28803561

[June Ingram]

Hi Rob -

Thank you very much for posting this message and the link to the BBC article.  This is indeed terrible news and hopefully a solution will be found to keep the shipyard open.  It is a terrible blow to think the last shipyard on the Clyde will close.  It reinforces the feeling that "the end of an era" is happening in many aspects of today's life, and not for the better.

June

[Rob Lightbody]

Fantastic and surprising news here, which first minister Alex Salmond was taking credit for last night on the tv debate (not sure how fairly)

Expansion plans announced for yard http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-28933830

[June Ingram]

Hi Rob -

This is very exciting news and I do hope it comes to fruition !

June   

[Twynkle]

Hi Rob
I found this headline and article in Piet Sinke's 'Maasmond Maritime - Shipping News Clippings'
"Ferry operator CalMac vows to help keep shipbuilder afloat"
FERRY operator Caledonian MacBrayne has said it will do everything it can to help support a rescue of Ferguson's, the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde...


(The Shipping News subscription comes as a large attachment and if you'd like, I can send you more of the article in an email...
I get all his pics on flickr, and btw have sent a request for a recent good image of QE2   )

[Alan Snelson]

Fantastic and surprising news here, which first minister Alex Salmond was taking credit for last night on the tv debate (not sure how fairly)

Expansion plans announced for yard http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-28933830

Great to see all those skills will continue to be put to good use.

[June Ingram]

I also agree most heartily !

[Twynkle]

More here:
Clyde Blowers Acquires Ferguson
Earlier this month, the shipyard announced its closure while sending home 70 workers. The company will now upgrade the facility and turn to renewables in order to create up to 120 jobs. Clyde Blowers Capital founder and chairman, Jim McColl, said to BBC: “The yard obviously needs quite a bit of investment in it. “We do plan to invest, upgrade facilities there, and then to look at further work for the yard. “This could be perhaps another ferry, but looking at maybe doing some oil and gas work or some other fabrication work. “We’re also involved in renewables and I think there may be some work in that area in the future as well.” The acquisition of Ferguson Shipbuilders, originally formed in 1902, is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.
Source : offshorewind.biz

(There's also an article about Westway, and the future possibility of a Bridge over the River Cart...what would J.Brown's have thought...?)

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much, Rosie, for the information.  I do hope Ferguson will continue successfully even with a change of direction.

[Clydebuilt1971]

This guy has an admirable track record in business so I am very hopeful - which is a step change from where I was when the administrators were called in!!

I hope Fergusons dont move completely away from shipbuilding as I think it is important to retain that particular skill here on the Clyde.

But whatever pays the bills I suppose!

Gav

[June Ingram]

Hi Gav -

Thank you for your post, and I too hope that shipbuilding will remain part of Ferguson's program even with a turn to doing business in other directions.  Wishful thinking perhaps, but it would be great if shipbuilding returned to The Clyde in addition to Ferguson's.

June

[Clydebuilt1971]

Good news people!!

As you probably already know Fergusons were saved by Scottish business tycoon Jim McColl who bought them and saved the company from extinction. Plans are now underway to invest in the yard and employees have been re-hired. The company is now renamed Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-29156700

On Friday 26th September an order for a third hybrid ferry (Fergusons built the first two mv Hallaig and mv Lochinvar) was issued by CMAL (the company from which Caledonian MacBrayne lease the Clyde and Hebridean Ferry fleet) for delivery in 2016.

This is a good start - may we see them thrive and diversify under their new owners!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-29408021

Have to admit I didnt see this coming in August when Fergusons went into administration.

I'm proud of that wee yard - just keep bouncing back!

 

Gav

[June Ingram]

Hi Gav -

That is such very good news !  Let us hope Ferguson prospers with additional orders !

June   

[Clydebuilt1971]

Future looking brighter for revitalised Ferguson Marine.

A year later and how different the landscape looks...

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/13636341.Clyde_shipyard_Ferguson_wins___97m_ferry_contract/