SHIPBUILDING can still have a future in Govan even if BAE pull out of the yard with one of Scotland's most successful businessmen watching closely.

 

Billionaire Jim McColl said he is keeping an eye on developments and would be interested in the Govan site if owners BAE decide to pull out.

Mr McColl took over Ferguson's shipyard in Port Glasgow and is currently developing plans to grow the business in shipbuilding, energy and oil and gas engineering.

The site on the lower Clyde needs substantial investment and with limited space Mr McColl is looking to other sites to accommodate growth.

He said the site at Govan was one which was on his radar.

When he took over Ferguson's he watched how work was carried out and quickly identified where investment was needed and saw the process doesn't all need to be on the current site as parts can be manufactured elsewhere on the river and floated down for construction on the slipway.

He said the flow of work was more important than the site itself.

Mr McColl said: "We need to knock buildings down because we need new offices. Architects are drawing up the plans. I want it built this year."

However the site at Port Glasgow is not large enough to expand so Mr McColl has cast his eye further afield.

He said: "We are looking at facilities in Renfrew at the Steel Engineering site where we can float parts down the Cart and the Clyde, which would bring traffic back to the river.

"One of the yards on the upper Clyde could become available.

BAE said the signing of the contract to build the Type 26 Frigates secured shipbuilding on the Clyde until 2034.

It also allows the firm to press ahead with its investment plan and make a decision on whether to build the ships across the two current sites or consolidate the operation at one yard.

The expectation is that it will invest in Scotstoun and pull out of Govan.

Mr McColl said: "I haven't had discussions with anyone yet. If that announcement comes it is something I would be interested in."

Closing Govan shipyard would leave a huge site either for regeneration or for a buyer to take over the existing riverfront facilities.

If BAE move from Govan it won't mean any job losses but would hit the local economy with the workforce not coming into the area.

Should Mr McColl's firm take over the yard it could mean more jobs coming to Govan.

He has plans to increase the Ferguson's workforce from the 90 when he took over to 400 if it wins the orders it has bid for.

He is passionate in his plan to ensure commercial shipbuilding remains on the Clyde.

He said the deal to buy Ferguson's was "strange" for his investors.

He said: It is the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde. I thought it was criminal this should disappear.

"It was hugely under invested in and they couldn't compete. They have great skills there and can build really nice ships.

"We are lining up quite a bit of investment in that yard, three or four million in upgrading and putting in new cranes."

He said the workers were the "best guys you will get" and rejected any analysis that unions were responsible for the demise of shipbuilding, stating management and leadership had to be looked at as well.

The Local MP has been keeping an eye on the future of the site as well

Ian Davidson said if BAE do decide to consolidate on one site it is a welcome commitment to the Clyde as a world class shipbuilding facility.

He said: "The first opportunity I see is for alternative shipbuilding use."

However he added: "It is unlikely they would want to use the entire site. So there is opportunity for other commercial use as well."