Ferguson Marine contracts and Ardrossan Harbour acquisition

Live UpdatesLast updated APR 28
SUMMARY

The Scottish Government announced on March 3, 2026, that it would directly award Ferguson Marine contracts to build four new vessels and purchase Ardrossan Harbour from Peel Ports. As of April 28, 2026, Ferguson Marine has been excluded from bidding for a new CalMac ferry contract due to CMAL's eligibility criteria, which require bidders to have delivered at least two vessels over 75 meters in the past five years, effectively ruling out all UK shipbuilders. Despite this, the Scottish Government has allocated four additional vessels to Ferguson Marine through direct awards, securing five years of work, and finalized the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour for £5 million to accommodate new CalMac ferries, with an estimated nationalization cost of £80 million by March 2026.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 5 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine has been excluded from bidding for a new CalMac ferry contract due to eligibility cr…

    Ferguson Marine has been excluded from bidding for a new CalMac ferry contract due to eligibility criteria set by CMAL, which require bidders to have delivered at least two vessels over 75 meters in the past five years. The shipyard's chief executive stated these criteria effectively rule out all UK shipbuilders. Despite this, the Scottish Government has allocated four additional vessels to Ferguson Marine through direct awards.

  2. The Scottish Government plans to nationalize Ardrossan Harbour and award new contracts to Ferguson Marine shipyard.

    The Scottish Government plans to nationalize Ardrossan Harbour and award new contracts to Ferguson Marine shipyard. The nationalization is expected to be finalized by March 2026 with an estimated cost of £80 million. Ferguson Marine will build two smaller CalMac ferries and two fisheries support vessels, securing five years of work.

  3. The Scottish Government has finalized the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour for £5 million to accommodate new CalMac ferries.

    The Scottish Government has finalized the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour for £5 million to accommodate new CalMac ferries. Ferguson Marine has also secured a contract to fabricate structural parts for HMS Birmingham, a Type 26 frigate for the Royal Navy.

  4. The MV Isle of Islay, the first of four new CalMac ferries built in Turkey, entered service on March 31, 2026, with the remaining three expected by February 2027.

    The MV Isle of Islay, the first of four new CalMac ferries built in Turkey, entered service on March 31, 2026, with the remaining three expected by February 2027. Ferguson Marine has been awarded contracts for these two ferries, plus a research vessel and a marine protection vessel, securing a five-year work pipeline.

  5. Ferguson Marine has been awarded contracts to build two smaller CalMac ferries and two fisheries support vessels, securing the shipyard's future for the next five years.

    Ferguson Marine has been awarded contracts to build two smaller CalMac ferries and two fisheries support vessels, securing the shipyard's future for the next five years. This pipeline of work is intended to facilitate the shipyard's eventual return to private ownership. The nationalized shipyard previously lost out on contracts for electric ferries and freight vessels due to capacity limitations.

March 2026 — 5 developments

  1. The Scottish Government paid £16 million to acquire Ardrossan Harbour, with upgrade work now expected to be completed by 2029.

    The Scottish Government paid £16 million to acquire Ardrossan Harbour, with upgrade work now expected to be completed by 2029. The MV Glen Rosa ferry is anticipated to be delivered by the end of 2026.

  2. The Scottish Government has officially completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, transitioning it to public ownership.

    The Scottish Government has officially completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, transitioning it to public ownership. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop stated this acquisition will enable focused redevelopment of the harbour as the primary mainland port for Arran and to accommodate the new, larger CalMac ferries, Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa. The cost of the purchase remains undisclosed due to confidentiality clauses.

  3. An agreement has been reached for Ardrossan Harbour to be purchased by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), with formal acquisition expected later this month.

    An agreement has been reached for Ardrossan Harbour to be purchased by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), with formal acquisition expected later this month. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop confirmed negotiations with Peel Ports have concluded. In parallel, the Scottish Government plans to directly award four new vessel contracts to Ferguson Marine, including two ferries and two marine protection vessels, subject to due diligence.

  4. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop states that Ardrossan Harbour is set to be bought by the government…

    Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop states that Ardrossan Harbour is set to be bought by the government's ferry and ports agency, with negotiations between CMAL and Peel Ports concluded.

  5. The Scottish Government announces it will directly award Ferguson Marine contracts to build four new…

    The Scottish Government announces it will directly award Ferguson Marine contracts to build four new vessels, including two ferries, a marine research vessel, and a marine protection vessel. Simultaneously, the government confirms plans to purchase Ardrossan Harbour from Peel Ports to facilitate necessary redevelopment.

January 2026 — 1 developments

  1. First Minister John Swinney confirms that discussions for the Scottish Government to purchase Ardros…

    First Minister John Swinney confirms that discussions for the Scottish Government to purchase Ardrossan Harbour are at a 'well advanced stage', with a deal expected by the end of the year.

January 2025 — 1 developments

  1. MV Glen Sannox begins service on the Arran route, operating from Troon Harbour due to Ardrossan Harbour being too small for the new vessel.

    MV Glen Sannox begins service on the Arran route, operating from Troon Harbour due to Ardrossan Harbour being too small for the new vessel.

November 2024 — 1 developments

  1. MV Glen Sannox is formally handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), with its entry into service planned for January 2025.

    MV Glen Sannox is formally handed over to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), with its entry into service planned for January 2025.

August 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine confirms it is bidding for a contract to build seven electric ferries for CalMac as …

    Ferguson Marine confirms it is bidding for a contract to build seven electric ferries for CalMac as part of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme, facing competition from 12 other companies.

March 2021 — 1 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine's annual accounts reveal losses of £7.

    Ferguson Marine's annual accounts reveal losses of £7.8m from completing three vessels (an oil barge and two fish farm work boats) that were under construction before nationalisation.

December 2019 — 1 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine shipyard is nationalised and taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government, trading as Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited.

    Ferguson Marine shipyard is nationalised and taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government, trading as Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited.

October 2018 — 1 developments

  1. The contracts for two new LNG ferries, MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa, are signed with Ferguson Marine, with initial delivery dates set for May and July 2018 respectively.

    The contracts for two new LNG ferries, MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa, are signed with Ferguson Marine, with initial delivery dates set for May and July 2018 respectively.

August 2015 — 1 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine is announced as the preferred bidder for a £97 million contract to build two new LNG ferries for Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).

    Ferguson Marine is announced as the preferred bidder for a £97 million contract to build two new LNG ferries for Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).

August 2014 — 1 developments

  1. Ferguson Marine shipyard in Inverclyde goes into administration.

    Ferguson Marine shipyard in Inverclyde goes into administration. First Minister Alex Salmond intervenes and persuades businessman Jim McColl to buy out the shipyard.