Ferguson Marine to Cut a Quarter of Its Workforce in Scotland
About 70 voluntary departures as the yard waits on four announced but unsigned contracts
Ferguson Marine will implement a voluntary staff reduction programme under which approximately 70 employees are expected to depart, representing about a quarter of the workforce at Scotland's state-owned shipbuilder.
The yard has faced significant financial challenges since its nationalisation by Scotland in 2019, struggling to complete two LNG-powered ferries for CalMac and CMAL while securing new work to follow them. The ferry programme has remained unfinished throughout that period.
The second of the two vessels, Glen Rosa, recently departed for final dry docking and hull cleaning. Sea trials and handover are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Ferguson Marine has also completed delivery of structural blocks for the UK's Type 26 frigate HMS Birmingham.
"Our immediate focus remains the safe, high-quality handover of Glen Rosa in Q4 2026," chief executive Graeme Thomson said.
The reduction is intended to align the yard's structure with upcoming workload gaps while the Scottish Government finalises contract negotiations. The government has previously announced its intention to award Ferguson Marine four new vessel contracts: two ferries for CMAL, a Marine Protection Vessel and a Marine Research Vessel. It has also provided £14.2 million in capital investment for infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades.
The layoffs therefore fall in the interval between the completion of Glen Rosa and the start of work that has been announced but not yet placed under contract. The Type 26 block work has already been delivered, which removes the other source of load on the yard over that interval. Until the new contracts are signed, Ferguson Marine carries a workforce sized for a programme that is ending and one that has not begun.
