Scottish Government Acquires Ardrossan Harbour Amid Ferry Scandal Fallout
The Scottish government has moved to take Ardrossan harbour into public ownership and has directly awarded new shipbuilding contracts to Ferguson Marine, the shipyard at the heart of a major political scandal. This decision comes as a response to the ongoing debacle involving two ferries that were constructed at nearly four times their original budget and were found to be too large for the port.
Public Purchase of Ardrossan Harbour
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced that negotiations for the government's purchase of Ardrossan harbour, currently owned by Peel Ports, have been completed. The harbour will be acquired by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), the government's ferry procurement arm. This move aims to mitigate the impact of the ferry issues on the port, which has been without service for over 18 months due to the inability of the new vessels to berth safely.
Substantial redevelopment work is expected to be required to make Ardrossan suitable for the new ferries, though the exact cost of the purchase has not been disclosed. In the interim, ferry services have been operating from Troon, leaving Ardrossan disconnected from the mainland-Isle of Arran route.
New Contracts for Ferguson Marine Shipyard
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes revealed that the Scottish government will directly award contracts to Ferguson Marine for the construction of four new ships. This includes two smaller ferries for the Sound of Harris and Sound of Barra in the Western Isles, as well as two fishery support vessels. The contracts are part of a "bridge to the future" initiative to help the shipyard re-establish itself as a competitive entity.
The shipyard has faced severe political criticism since its takeover in 2019, primarily due to delays and cost overruns in delivering the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries. The total cost for these vessels is approaching four times the initial £97.5 million contract, sparking widespread controversy.
Due Diligence and Future Plans
Ms. Forbes emphasized that the contract awards are subject to a detailed due diligence process to ensure compliance with legal requirements and value for taxpayers. Engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority is also required before formal decisions are made. The government remains committed to eventually returning the yard to the public sector when feasible.
This strategic move underscores the Scottish government's efforts to address the fallout from the ferry scandal while supporting the shipbuilding industry and improving ferry services for communities.
