Ferguson Marine has been snubbed by ferry procurement firm Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) which has placed a significant order for seven all-electric vessels with a shipyard in Poland.

Remontowa of Gdansk has been named preferred bidder for the Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP).

Ferguson’s, the state-owned Clydeside yard, was among a shortlist of six firms invited to bid, with five yards returning responses. The others were: Cammell Laird (England), Cemre Marin Endustri A.S (Turkey), Damen Offshore and Specialized Vessels B.V (Netherlands).

The electric ferries will help to support island communities and improve the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, with delivery of the first vessel expected in 2027.

CMAL said bids were robustly assessed against technical and financial criteria, with a 65% / 35% weighting, respectively. The panel scoring the bids consisted of third party marine specialists and experts from CMAL.

When scores across criteria were combined, Remontowa’s bid achieved the highest score and was identified as the winning yard.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I welcome this milestone being reached in the procurement to build and deliver seven new small vessels to our ferry network.

“These seven new vessels will help improve connectivity and resilience for island residents, businesses and communities, and their electric operation will contribute to reduced carbon emissions from Scotland’s ferry fleet and make ferry travel more sustainable.

“I appreciate all the work that has gone into getting us to this important stage of the procurement process, particularly by CMAL, and am hopeful that we can look forward to contracts being signed at the end of the required standstill period.”

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL said: “It is our responsibility to follow the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland and appoint a yard capable of producing quality vessels which meet the needs of islanders, but that also deliver the best value for the public purse.

“We are confident in Remontowa’s ability, and have worked with them before, most recently with the delivery of the MV Finlaggan in 2011.  We will now enter a 10-day standstill period before finalising the contract.”

Duncan Mackison, chief executive of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), said: “Confirming the lead bidder is a significant milestone for CalMac, and we’re excited to welcome new, modern small vessels to the fleet from 2027 onwards.

“Small vessels are an integral part of our operation, and new tonnage will allow us to improve the resilience of our service and the experience customers have on these routes.

“These seven new vessels, when combined with the six major new vessels joining the fleet in 2025 and 2026, will mean a third of our entire fleet has been renewed.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand that Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow are disappointed not to be selected as lead bidder for SVRP.

“The Board has developed a new business strategy which targets a range of opportunities where the yard is capable and hopeful of winning new work. 

“Ministers back the Board’s vision and have allocated up to £14.2 million over the next two financial years to enhance yard infrastructure and deliver productivity improvements, provided standard commercial tests can be satisfied.”

However, opposition parties were critical of the decision by a state-owned procurement company failing to support a state-owned builder.

Scottish Conservative shadow transport secretary Sue Webber said: “This announcement is devastating for Ferguson Marine and could yet prove the death knell for the yard.

“It should be a given that a nationalised shipyard wins a Scottish Government contract. Yet it’s a measure of how badly the SNP have mismanaged Ferguson’s that ferries which should be built on the west coast of Scotland are instead to be made in eastern Europe.

“The blame for this outrageous situation lies squarely with incompetent SNP ministers who have let down workers at the yard, and ferry passengers across Scotland, at every turn.

“SNP ministers can’t pass the buck any longer on this scandal. They must immediately explain to Parliament why this decision was made and what steps they are taking to ensure the yard has a viable future.”

Scottish Labour Transport spokesperson Claire Baker said:  “This is another blow to Scottish shipbuilding and the industry’s skilled workers.

“On the SNP watch, Scotland’s iconic shipbuilding industry has been let down and jobs and investment are going overseas.

“Once again this SNP government is failing to stand up for Scotland and support our key industries.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie said: “This is the hangover from the SNP’s ferries fiasco.

“Every blunder by SNP ministers has made it harder to protect jobs and secure the yard’s future.

“After doing so much damage to Scotland’s reputation for shipbuilding, someone in this SNP Government must finally carry the can.”