Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan earlier today spoke with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay MSP, regarding Ferguson’s shipyard.

The company operating the shipbuilding yard at Port Glasgow, Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd, announced on Friday their intention to go into administration. The Scottish Government has said that taking the yard into public ownership remains an option.

Vessel Number 802, one of two duel-fuel ferries under construction at the yard for CalMac, is earmarked for the Uig-Lochmaddy and Uig-Tarbert routes.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“This was a helpful and productive phone call with the Cabinet Secretary. I made clear that communities in my constituency have waited too long for delivery of this new ferry, and there has been considerable uncertainty over the timescales for its completion.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is ready and willing to take Ferguson Marine into public ownership if that is what is needed to secure the completion of these ferries. I hope that all involved can ensure this process is as quick and as straightforward as possible.

“I also stressed the need for the communities waiting on these vessels to be given clear information about expected delivery times as soon as the current situation has been resolved.”