Merseyside shipyard Cammell Laird wins contract to build two new Scottish vehicle and passenger ferries following an ‘immensely strong’ bid. Tony McDonough reports

Workers at the Birkenhead shipyard in Cammell Laird are set to build two new Scottish vehicle and passenger ferries for Western Ferries.

Cammell Laird, part of the APCL Group, has been named as the preferred bidder to build the vessel which will operate on the Gourock to Dunoon Route. Construction will begin shortly with both vessels due to be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in autumn 2026.

This is further good news for Cammell Laird which is currently building a new Mersey Ferry at a cost of £26m. The value of this latest contract has not been revealed.

David McGinley, chief executive of APCL Group, said: “APCL Group welcomes the announcement of this latest contract with Western Ferries, further developing the partnership between both companies.” 

We would like to thank Western Ferries for its ongoing confidence in our facilities and our shipbuilding capabilities.  This contract marks the next major milestone in APCL Group being recognised as the UK’s leading commercial shipbuilder.

“Continued orders from British companies to British shipyards ensure that the UK remains as a leader of commercial shipbuilding on the world stage.”

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This latest announcement builds on the successful relationship established in 2013, when APCL Cammell Laird designed, built, and delivered the Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay, which have been stalwarts of the Western Ferries’ fleet ever since. 

Their proven reliability and importantly, commercial performance were key factors in awarding this latest contract.

Gordon Ross, managing director of Western Ferries, added: “Western Ferries is pleased to announce the preferred bidder statement of a new vessel construction contract to leading UK shipbuilder APCL Cammell Laird, reinforcing a strong and trusted partnership rooted in British maritime excellence.

“APCL Cammell Laird was selected as the preferred bidder due to the strength of its proposal, demonstrating exceptional value in cost, expertise, and the quality of its shipbuilding facilities. 

“Their bid was immensely strong on all fronts, and with their heritage of maritime excellence, we are confident that they will deliver vessels of the highest quality, on time and on budget.”