Ferguson Marine summit statement
A statement from Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, following a summit to discuss the future of Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow organised by the GMB trade union which was held at Greenock Municipal Buildings today, Thursday 16 May 2024, and attended by local and national representatives, including new Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Kate Forbes MSP.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: "There was a consensus in the room that we absolutely want Ferguson's to survive, for investment in the yard, work for the yard, and for the yard to thrive.
"There's a strong cost benefit case for a direct award to Ferguson's.
"Ferguson's is the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde. We are a maritime nation. We cannot afford for this yard to close.
"We need to build Scottish ferries in Scottish towns for Scottish people.
"It was a positive meeting but I'm not counting my chickens because tough decisions need to be made and they need to be made in a matter of weeks, not months."
