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The Online Magazine of Clyde shipping, shipbuilding and the Clydeside area itself. Past, Present and Future Articles both new and gleaned from our sister site, Clydeshipping, added frequently - do check back often! |
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When good news breaks it usually doesn't happen at this time of year!
So when it was revealled on Clydesite's forum yesterday (30th November 2005) that Ferguson Shipbuilders had won an early Christmas present from Calmac in the shape of a new ferry order for the Largs-Cumbrae route, the relief on Clydesite was palpable. Ferguson's have been struggling to keep their heads above water recently, losing out on two vital Calmac contracts recently to a Polish shipyard - one of them the recently delivered, the new Rothesay ferry BUTE, and of course her sister vessel not long ordered. This new order was desperately needed to keep the yard in work, and it will do so, but not enough to maintain the workforce levels in the yard of two or three years ago. Nonetheless, this is work for their designers and shipyard workers, so keeping a thread of continuity in the hopes of better times ahead. So what is the future? In short, it is tough. Orders that would have been battled out between Ferguson's and the now defunct Appledore shipyard in Devon, are now flowing to Poland, as the Remontowa yard maintains a competitive advantage through a low wage, low cost economy, and, it is claimed, through subsidised steel. There are though changes likely ahead. Remontowa, like all Eastern European companies in the EU, will have to shape up to the levels of pay and conditions enjoyed by workers in the 'old Europe' as time goes on. Orders are flowing into the yard at such a rate that they are quite overstretched at times which means to purchasers, availability and delivery schedules can be difficult to assess ahead. But that is not quite the issue here. Ferguson's beat competition from other yards too, which means they are finding their own competitive edge. So tough, yes, impossible, no.
Some cite the threat of Chinese yards, but in truth, this is no threat to a yard like Ferguson's when it comes to ferry orders. It is unlikely that Chinese yards would bid for them, and the distance between China and the Clyde is such that it would be of some risk to deliver a small vessel on time and safely. Consider too the commitment to the yard by the family who own it. The Dunnets are clearly passionate about their shipyard and if it had not been for them the yard would have closed long ago. Work is expected in the next two years from various government agencies to be put out to tender. If Ferguson's can keep cool, become ever more competitive, but above all get the support they need and so rightly deserve, then there will always be a place for them in the shipbuilding market. This Calmac order illustrates that Ferguson's can do it at the right price. It is vital that they maintain this direction for the sake of indigenous industry and the pride of Clydebuilt quality. I leave you now with some pictures of recently built ships from the yard. My words cannot convey the strengths of this yard better than these pictures can! 
Fisheries protection vessel JURA, prior to launching on 28th of April this year (2005). Photo: John Huggins 
Workers raise their hard hats as LYNHER II is towed to the fitting out quay after launching this year. One of three ferries for work on the River Tamar. Photo: Kevin McGroarty 
Western Ferries' SOUND OF SHUNA, prior to launch in 2003. Photo: John Newth. 
The last Calmac vessel built by the yard, the HEBRIDES, built in Port Glasgow in 2000. Seen here undergoing refitting at her place of birth in 2004. Photo: John Newth. |
| Copyright B.Biddulph, Clydesite 2005 - Unless otherwise stated. Any materials credited shows the name of the copyright owner where known. The pages are intended for private use, for educational purposes. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner. Reassemble the following to email address format to contact: editor at clydeshipping .co .uk |