Scotland's Economy
Update on Ferguson Marine
August 12, 2019 by kristenmcnicoll 3 Comments | Category Uncategorized
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said:
“The Scottish Government has been working for over two years to find a resolution to the difficulties at FMEL. Throughout that time our preference has been to identify viable commercial options to keep the yard going and to finish the vessels. No such solutions have come forward.
“The Scottish Government has now indicated to all relevant parties that we are ready and willing to take Ferguson Marine into public ownership and deliver the ferries to secure the continued employment of the workforce in the yard.
“There remains a process to go through to secure the transfer of the yard to the Scottish Government, and we are hopeful that all parties recognise the importance of completing that transfer as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
“While we are open to engaging with any parties with a serious interest in investing in and securing a future for the shipyard, it is essential the government acts now to secure the completion of the ferries and continuity of employment at Fergusons.”
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So you put out a fixed price contract for a specific piece of work and then substantially change the brief after it’s signed and expect the contractor to pick up the ever increasing tab for additional work that wasn’t even thought about at the time of the original agreement? Apparently Ferguson’s offered to cover half the additional cost but were turned down so, instead, the taxpayer looks like having to pick up all of the over-run on two far from completed hulls and we’re being asked to believe nationalisation is the only solution? Jeez.
Well done.
Well done a necessary decision as long as people have jobs, and Calmac need ferries.