Ferguson Marine blocked from building isles ferry – Daily Business

Ferguson Marine: excluded

Scotland’s state-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine says it has been blocked from bidding for the next large CalMac ferry because of procurement rules.

The Port Glasgow yard said eligibility criteria set by ferries procurement agency, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) effectively excluded UK shipbuilders.

It means Ferguson Marine will be unable to bid for a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles.

The GMB union said it “beggars belief” and called on the board of CMAL – which is owned by Scottish ministers – to pause and review the tendering process.

CMAL said it had chosen a selection system which it believed would ensure the best outcome for island communities.

Shipyards must complete a number of qualifying stages before being invited to tender detailed bids for evaluation.

Ferguson Marine has been late in delivering two over-budget ferries for the islands. It delivered MV Glen Sannox in November 2024 but a second large CalMac ferry MV Glen Rosa is not due for delivery until the end of this year.

Chief executive Graeme Thomson said: “A rigorous review of the tender prequalification criteria indicates that, in our view, it is unlikely that any UK shipbuilder would meet the stipulated minimum qualification requirements.

“The original vessel was built here at Ferguson’s and has served the CalMac fleet for 36 years, a testament to the enduring quality of Scottish craftsmanship.

“However, without a procurement model that scores UK social and economic value and builds domestic supply chain resilience, which is in line with government nationwide guidance, UK shipyards remain at a disadvantage against heavily subsidised foreign competitors.”

GMB Scotland general secretary Louise Gilmour said: “It beggars belief that a Scottish public body would bar a publicly-owned Scottish shipyard from even bidding to build a Scottish ferry.”

She added: “There could not be a clearer example of the self-harming procurement policies that have sabotaged our country’s industrial capability and economic growth for too long.

“There can be no other country in the world as happy to send contracts abroad instead of using them to support jobs, apprenticeship and communities at home.

“Taxpayers deserve value for money but the bottom line of any bid means nothing if the social and economic value to our communities is not properly taken into account.”

CMAL defended the wording of the questionnaire, and is understood to have turned down a request to modify it.

A spokesperson said: “The questions in the SPDS (Single Procurement Document Scotland) have been designed to ensure the best outcome for island communities.”

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