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Billionaire Jim McColl eyes major new shipyard on the Clyde | Billionaire Jim McColl eyes major new shipyard on the Clyde |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Billionaire businessman Jim McColl is considering a takeover of one of Europe's largest dry docks, on the Clyde. | Billionaire businessman Jim McColl is considering a takeover of one of Europe's largest dry docks, on the Clyde. |
Mr McColl has looked at Greenock's Inchgreen dry dock, with a view to building ocean-going commercial ships. | Mr McColl has looked at Greenock's Inchgreen dry dock, with a view to building ocean-going commercial ships. |
Last year the tycoon saved Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow from administration via his company Clyde Blowers Capital. | Last year the tycoon saved Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow from administration via his company Clyde Blowers Capital. |
He has since expressed an interest in expanding. | He has since expressed an interest in expanding. |
Last September, the Ferguson yard won its first ferry-building contract since being rescued from closure. | Last September, the Ferguson yard won its first ferry-building contract since being rescued from closure. |
But in an interview in the Herald newspaper on Wednesday, Mr McColl said he was already getting "requests" to build ships that were bigger than the Ferguson yard could handle. | But in an interview in the Herald newspaper on Wednesday, Mr McColl said he was already getting "requests" to build ships that were bigger than the Ferguson yard could handle. |
He also said he was looking at building a "broader range of ships" than the ferries Ferguson has focused on in recent years. including military vessels and ocean-going commercial carriers. | He also said he was looking at building a "broader range of ships" than the ferries Ferguson has focused on in recent years. including military vessels and ocean-going commercial carriers. |
Inchgreen was recently put on the market for a lease by owners Peel Ports. | Inchgreen was recently put on the market for a lease by owners Peel Ports. |
'Excellent news' | |
Responding to Mr McColl's comments, SNP MSP for West Scotland, Stuart McMillan, said it was "excellent news" for the local area. | |
Mr McMillan, who was on the Ferguson yard taskforce set up to help workers after it went into administration in August, said: "Our shipbuilding industry has always had a special place in the hearts of people in the communities of the west of Scotland - and so this very encouraging news will be warmly welcomed by people across the area. | |
"These plans are a real 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 - and show the bright future the industry has ahead." |
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