Western Ferries Announces APCL Cammell Laird as Preferred Bidder for Two New Vehicle and Passenger Vessels for its Gourock to Dunoon Route

Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Western Ferries, announced APCL Cammell Laird as the preferred bidder of a multi-million pound contract for two new vehicle and passenger ferries for its Gourock to Dunoon route. Construction will begin shortly with both vessels due to be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in Autumn 2026.

Mr Ross said that Western Ferries was delighted to announce APCL Cammell Laird as preferred bidder after it made the most commercially compelling case for the new vessels.

“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.”

This 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. The vessels’ proven reliability and importantly, commercial performance were key factors in awarding this latest contract.

Western Ferries remains proud that its fleet is and will be 100% British built. Upon delivery of the new vessels, the average age of the fleet will be reduced to just over six years, further enhancing the Company’s ability to maintain its near perfect service reliability.

These new vessels represent a significant investment in the Company’s future and in the communities it serves. Western Ferries’ lifeline Gourock to Dunoon route provides a vital strategic link between Scotland’s West Coast and the Central Belt. This investment underscores the Company’s ongoing commitment to resilience, reliance, robustness, local employment and regional connectivity.”

APCL Cammell Laird, which is part of the wider APCL Group, is delighted with this announcement, which has been announced as the facility moves towards the final stages of the construction of the latest Mersey Ferry.

APCL Cammell Laird and the wider APCL Group have delivered some of the most ambitious commercial shipbuilding projects in recent times including the construction of the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Today Cammell Laird and the wider APCL Group are also delivering units for HMS Belfast Ship 3 and HMS Birmingham Ship 4 of the new Type 26 class of frigates. These programmes are being delivered on behalf of BAE.

David McGinley, Group CEO 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.”