BBCThe state -owned Ferguson Shipyard is still waiting to get most investment in new equipment promised by Scottish ministers more than a year ago.
The Deputy Minister Kate Forbes announced in June last year that the inverted firm would receive £ 14.2m in two years to invest in the new machinery to make it more efficient and win new orders.
A few months later, procurement orders were issued for major items such as a new “panel line” to process steel plates, but now it has been revealed that these notices were withdrawn in March.
The Scottish government said that it is committed to providing the full amount of funds for “proper hard work and completion of commercial standards”.
The GMB Union stated that it was concerned about the slow pace of new investment, which was important to help the Shipyard move forward from the long -running ghat dispute.
Port Glasgow firm, which employs around 300 employees, is currently working to complete MV Glenn Roja, the second of the two long overdue Calmac Ghats, but there are no ship orders ahead of it.
Earlier this year, Shipyard expected to rebuild its reputation by obtaining an order for seven very small cool ghats, which was widely seen as more suitable for the size and abilities of the yard.
However, in March, the purchase of government -owned ghats Body CMAL announced that the contract of small ships, approximately £ 160 meters, would instead to a polish firm, which had reduced the Scottish shipyard at a price.
Procurement notice for one New steel cutting machine And one Semi-automatic panel line Three weeks before that announcement was canceled.
The largest trade union in the Ferguson Marine questioned the delay and said that investment was necessary to restore Shipyard’s reputation.
GMB Scotland General Secretary Louis Gilmar said: “When this investment was first promised, they gave some assurance to the workers for the future, but more than a year later, the lack of action felt like the opposite.
“Workers are guilty of mistakes of the last 10 years and only want an opportunity to restore the reputation of their yard.”
Ferguson MarineA spokesperson of the Scottish government said that the investment program started last December, but refused to say how much money was spent so far.
However, Graeme Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of the new Ferguson Marine, told MPs in July this year that the figure was “hundreds of thousands”.
Giving evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster, he suggested that the yard would have to secure a new order before purchasing new equipment.
He said: “We have this circle where we need to secure some work, get investment, invest and then investment is fulfilled when we actually start building the program we have won.”
Mr. Thomson said that new equipment employed would eventually reduce steel production hours by 30–40%, which will give the yard a level of productivity compared to other modern shipyards in the UK and abroad.
‘Phased’ investment
A spokesperson of the Scottish government said that the ministers had committed “to invest up to £ 14.2m in two years, which was being met with proper hard work and commercial standards”.
Ferguson Marine Management said that the promised investment money was being phased out with the government over time.
Chief Financial Officer David Disson said that the assessment of the site was currently running, and the rest of the funding would be released once it is concluded.
He said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Scottish government that for their long -term commitment to Ferguson Marines, £ 14.2M is displayed by capital investment, which will enable us to increase our credibility and productivity to compete in the open market.”
