Takeover bid could see ‘ big boats’ back on Clyde

MAJOR shipbuilding could be set to return to the Clyde after a billionaire revealed plans to take over a dock.

Entrepreneur Jim McColl is considering a takeover of Inchgreen dock – one of Europe’s biggest dry docks and the largest in the UK.

The Scottish founder and chairman of Clyde Blowers is looking to expand beyond his smaller yard that also sits on the Clyde.

Inchgreen dock in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, which has been put on the market by owner Peel Ports, is 1,000ft long – more than double the length of Mr McColl’s existing yard in the town, Ferguson Marine Engineering.

The tycoon said he has been ‘inundated’ with requests to build bigger ships than Ferguson can handle. A takeover of Inchgreen would mean a broader range of ships could be built, including military vessels and ocean-going commercial carriers.

Mr McColl, 63, added: ‘We would be looking to expand if we could. Inchgreen dry dock is a fabulous f acility, one of the biggest in Europe.’

Inchgreen was designed to repair larger ships such as The Queen Mary and opened i n the early 1960s. At the time, the cost of building the 31- acre yard was £ 4million – now equivalent to around £90million.

Mr McColl said the dry dock would need to be upgraded if there is to be any hope of a military contract. He added: ‘It still has its heavy cranes but would need investment. The British Government will want to keep buying military ships in the UK. With what we are doing, we could start getting into military ships.’

He also disclosed that modifications are being made to his Port Glasgow yard, enabling workers to build vessels of up to 500ft compared to only 330ft.

The businessman said: ‘We are getting in the position to build four ships a year, six at a push. We are bidding for a broader range of ships just now, not just ferries.’

Last year Mr McColl saved Ferguson from administration and re-hired redundant staff.

Union leaders and politicians welcomed Mr McColl’s plans.

West Scotland nationalist MSP Stuart McMillan said: ‘These plans are a vote of confidence in the area and can give a significant boost to the local economy, create jobs and continue the west of Scotland’s justified reputation as a leader in the shipbuilding industry.’