Western Ferries (Clyde) Limited Signs Contract for Two New Vehicle and Passenger Vessels for its Gourock to Dunoon Route with APCL Cammell Laird.
Western Ferries (Clyde) Limited Signs Contract for Two New Vehicle and Passenger Vessels for its Gourock to Dunoon Route with APCL Cammell Laird
Tuesday 6th May saw two of the leading names in the British maritime and shipbuilding industry come together to sign a multi-million pound contract for the build of two new vehicle and passenger ferries.
The contract, which is for two new vessels for Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon route on the Firth of Clyde, was formally signed at a ceremony at APCL Cammell Laird’s facility in Birkenhead between Western Ferries’ Managing Director Gordon Ross and APCL Group Chief Technology Officer Linton Roberts on 6th May 2025.
They were joined by Graeme Fletcher, Technical Director, Alistair McLundie, Operations Director, Samantha Proctor, Finance Director and James Harris from Western Ferries and APCL Group CEO David McGinley along with Mike Hill, Managing Director of APCL Cammell Laird.
This new contract 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. The vessels’ proven reliability and importantly, commercial performance were key factors in awarding this latest contract.
Also present at the ceremony were many members from the technical teams which were involved in the 2013 Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay builds.
Jon O’Brien, Project Manager at APCL Cammell Laird, who was an apprentice during the Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay builds will project manage the construction of these new vessels.
Mr Ross said Western Ferries was delighted to reappoint APCL Cammell Laird after it submitted the most commercially compelling tender for the new vessels.
“Western Ferries is pleased to announce the award of a new vessel construction contract to leading UK shipbuilder APCL Cammell Laird, reinforcing a strong and trusted partnership rooted in British maritime excellence.
‘The arrival of the new vessels is already highly anticipated, drawing significant interest locally and today’s contract signing is the next chapter in the story of their journey from Birkenhead to the Clyde.”
APCL Cammell Laird, which is part of the wider APCL Group, is delighted with this latest contract, which has been announced as the facility moves towards the final stages of the construction of the latest Mersey Ferry.
David McGinley, Group CEO of APCL Group said: “APCL Group was delighted to welcome the Western Ferries’ team to APCL Cammell Laird this week.
“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.
“We look forward to welcoming the Western Ferries team back to the facility as the build programme progresses.”