Ferguson Marine to axe quarter of its workforce
Publicly owned Ferguson Marine has announced it will be axing a quarter of its workforce while upcoming work remains unclear.
As the only commercial shipbuilder left on the once industry leading Clyde, in recent years Ferguson Marine has become Scotland’s most notorious shipyard.
That notoriety comes from the two CalMac ferries it was due to deliver in 2018, the MV Glen Rosa and MV Glen Sannox, both eight years late and a combined £400 million over budget.
It employs 247 core staff, 31 agency staff and 32 apprentices - but 70 posts are being removed, with staff being encouraged to apply for voluntary redundancy.
The move comes as the yard is about to deliver the MV Glen Rosa, the second of its eight year late CalMac ferries, later this year.
The Scottish government has promised to directly award the yard new orders for four new small vessels but this has not yet been finalised.
This means that currently, no new orders are in the pipeline for the immediate future after Glen Rosa is finally delivered.
Economy, Tourism and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said the redundancy scheme was part of efforts to modernise the shipyard and put it on a more competitive footing.
"The action that the leadership team at Ferguson Marine is taking today is necessary to help secure a viable future for the yard, and that of commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde," he said.
But rival politicians and unions have attacked the move, saying the Scottish Government has let the yard down.
The contract for CalMac’s seven new small vessels went to Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdansk, Poland last year, and it also missed out on the contract for the MV Isle of Lewis replacement as it did not meet CMAL’s pre-qualification criteria.
The yard said at the time that no UK yard could meet these conditions.
The winning bidder for the ferry will be announced later this year.
Why not try these links to see what our West Coast AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
Latest News
JOBS
Receptionist and Administrative Assistant in a busy law firm - DM MacKinnon Solicitors
Sign up to our daily Newsletter
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
You may also like
Latest News
JOBS
Receptionist and Administrative Assistant in a busy law firm - DM MacKinnon Solicitors
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2026 Wyvex Media Limited.