A HOLYROOD committee has called for urgent investment to secure the future of Ferguson Marine after finding “long-standing weakness” in governance and management at the yard.

The call came with the publication of the public audit committee’s report into Port Glasgow’s state-owned shipyard, after delivery of CalMac’s new Glen Sannox ferry ran seven years late and a second, the Glen Rosa, also due in 2018, remains undelivered as costs skyrocketed from £97 million to £460m and counting. 

Labour MSP Richard Leonard, the committee’s convener, said: “The Scottish government must do more to ensure that not only is its future secure, but that the MV Glen Rosa can be delivered as soon as possible.

“There is no shortage of potential work. With investment, and better oversight, this yard which has a distinctive and proud history can have a distinguished and positive future.”

The Scottish government said: “We are ensuring the long-term future of the yard and the workforce and will invest up to £14.2m in the yard over the next two years in order to help it modernise and secure future business.”