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The latest Ferguson Marine update is a transition under way at its Port Glasgow shipyard: Glen Rosa is in final outfitting and commissioning, with delivery anticipated in Q4 2026, while the proposed four-vessel programme remains under review rather than awarded. The Scottish Government said on 17 September that no contracted shipbuilding work was scheduled for 2027 after Glen Rosa’s delivery. A separate proposal to build tugboats for later commercial sale is also being developed, but its details are unsettled.

Latest Ferguson Marine news

Ferguson Marine’s dated news listing shows a busy 2026, including an apprenticeship application notice on 1 October, the shipyard joining the Clyde Maritime Alliance on 11 September, workforce adjustments announced on 18 August, Glen Rosa’s move to Inchgreen Marine Park on 29 July, and delivery of Type 26 frigate units to BAE Systems on 27 July. The listing also includes Glen Rosa dry-dock and build milestones from June and July, as well as the March proposal for four vessel contracts. These are shipyard announcements; the proposed government work remains subject to separate scrutiny. Ferguson Marine news

When is Glen Rosa expected to be delivered?

Ferguson Marine said on 18 August that Glen Rosa had entered final outfitting and commissioning, with delivery anticipated in Q4 2026. Chief executive Graeme Thomson said the yard’s immediate focus was a safe, high-quality handover, while acknowledging an inevitable gap in workload as the vessel nears completion and preparations continue for possible contract negotiations. Ferguson Marine announcement

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The Scottish Government’s February 2026 statement had also anticipated Glen Rosa in Q4. That later forecast is more current than Audit Scotland’s surfaced scope page, which referred to a summer 2026 forecast. Glen Sannox is a separate, historical case: Audit Scotland’s scope summary describes it as six and a half years late against its original plan, not as a measure of Glen Rosa’s present schedule. Scottish Government, February 2026 Audit Scotland scope page

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Will Ferguson Marine build the four proposed vessels?

Not yet confirmed. On 3 March, the Scottish Government proposed four vessels for the yard: two ferries under Phase Two of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, plus replacements for the marine research vessel Scotia and fisheries protection vessel Minna. The ferries were later described in Parliament as serving the Sound of Harris and Sound of Barra. The Government’s March announcement said the programme could use most of the yard’s capacity for five years if awarded, while leaving room for other commercial opportunities. That was a forecast contingent on the contracts proceeding, not secured workload. Scottish Government, 3 March 2026

What approval remains?

In its 17 September statement, the Scottish Government said the proposal was still subject to due diligence and legal, procurement, value-for-money and subsidy-control review. A mandatory referral to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was required; the Government expected its principles assessment to proceed to pre-referral assessment in the coming weeks. The Government described the CMA’s role as assessing evidence and publishing advice, with ministers making the eventual decision. Scottish Government, 17 September 2026

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The Government’s argument for the proposed programme is that the vessels suit the yard’s facilities and workforce, and that some replace types of vessel Ferguson Marine has built before. That is the Government’s rationale, not an independent finding that the contracts have been awarded or that delivery risks are resolved. The March statement also said up to £14.2 million over two years had been committed to modernisation, subject to due diligence and formal investment decisions. Scottish Government, 3 March 2026

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What happens to the shipyard after Glen Rosa?

The Scottish Government said on 17 September that Glen Rosa was the last vessel then under contract and that, after delivery, the yard had no contracted shipbuilding work scheduled for 2027. This describes the contracted position reported at that date; it does not rule out later awards or commercial orders. Scottish Government, 17 September 2026

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A separate proposal for tugboats

The Government agreed to progress Ferguson Marine’s request for working capital to build a small number of tugboats for later commercial sale. This is distinct from the proposed four-vessel programme. The 17 September statement did not establish the number of tugboats, customers, funding amount or final approval terms; commercial, financial and governance arrangements remained to be worked out. Scottish Government, 17 September 2026

What is happening with Ferguson Marine jobs?

On 18 August, Ferguson Marine opened a voluntary workforce consultation as workload reduced during Glen Rosa’s final phase. The yard said it expected up to 70 employees to leave through the process as it aligned its size and skills with prospective new-build work. The Scottish Parliament later reported that no compulsory redundancies were proposed and participation was voluntary. Up to 70 was the company’s expectation, not a confirmed final departure count. Ferguson Marine announcement Scottish Parliament, 17 September 2026

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Are Ferguson Marine apprenticeships open?

Ferguson Marine announced 24 apprentice posts in 2026: 10 for an August intake and 14 for January 2027, in welding, fabrication, electrical, operations and engineering. The August intake window had passed by 3 October 2026. The latest news listing surfaced an application notice for January 2027 dated 1 October, but did not provide its full article text; it is therefore not possible to confirm from that listing whether applications remain open or how many posts are available. Check the current notice on Ferguson Marine’s news page before applying. Ferguson Marine news

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What have Ferguson Marine and ministers said?

Graeme Thomson, Ferguson Marine chief executive, said on 18 August: “Our immediate focus remains the safe, high-quality handover of Glen Rosa in Q4 2026. However, as the vessel nears completion, we face an inevitable gap in workload while we work with the Scottish Government to make the relevant preparations to enable us to proceed with contract negotiations.” Ferguson Marine announcement

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Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes described the March proposal as “a watershed moment,” adding that fulfilment of the proposed programme, subject to due diligence, “would secure a pipeline of work” and support modernisation while the yard pursued additional orders. Her statement was about a proposal; the Government’s September update confirmed approvals were still in progress. Scottish Government, 3 March 2026 Scottish Government, 17 September 2026

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