Date Created: 04 November 2011
A Glasgow based company, Ferguson Shipbuilders has secured a contract worth over £20 million to build the world's first environmentally friendly ferries.
The deal has been agreed with Caledonian Maritime Assets, the owners of the Calmac fleet and involves two Scottish technology and marine design partners.
The contract will result in more jobs and economic stability as well as providing the opportunity for the local economy to grow.
Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure & Capital Investment said:
“I’m delighted to announce Ferguson Shipbuilders as the preferred bidder to build the world’s first of its kind in hybrid ferries in a contract worth more than £20 million.
"The deal will not only secure around 75 existing jobs in the Port Glasgow and Inverclyde area, but create around 100 more. In addition, we expect Ferguson Shipbuilders to create around 20 new apprenticeships directly as a result of this contract."
Cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate
The two new ferries will come into operation in 2013 and will be the world’s first seagoing passenger and vehicle roll-on roll-off ferries to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and battery power.
The technology will be cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. It will help Scotland to meet its ambitious climate change targets and also demonstrate the vast economic potential of developing green technology and moving to a low carbon economy.
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