Harbour chiefs are preparing to make a raft of redundancies at Greenock Ocean Terminal

Peel Ports bosses say the move is a response to the coronavirus crisis and the devastating impact it has had on the cruise industry.

But they are today facing questions as to whether any job losses are absolutely needed.

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan has contacted Peel for answers, stating that firms with the 'broadest shoulders' should not axe any staff.

The Telegraph understands that 15 potential redundancies are being considered out of a total workforce at Ocean Terminal of 89.

The move comes after the company recently caused controversy and sparked public health concerns over a proposal to dock cruise ships here and bring crew members ashore at a time when local services were stretched due to COVID-19.

A Peel spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to the major impact of the coronavirus outbreak on traffic at the Greenock Ocean Terminal, we are being forced to consult on a number of potential redundancies.

"For example, we were scheduled to see almost 90 cruise arrivals at the terminal this year and that sector of our trading has all but disappeared, for obvious reasons.

"Given that, and the significant reduction in other traffics, we have been left with no option but to undertake a consultation exercise amongst the 89 staff at Greenock.

"Currently, a small number of our people have indicated they are interested in voluntary redundancy, leaving us with a further ten potential redundancies being considered."

Peel last month contacted Inverclyde Council over its plan to disembark cruise ship crew members at Greenock for onward travel and repatriation to their home countries.

Following objections from the council and NHS bosses on public health grounds, the company and harbour authority issued a statement saying that it had 'no confirmed vessels due to anchorage at Inverclyde'.

MSP Mr McMillan said: "I am disappointed to learn of these potential redundancies.

"I have contacted Peel Ports to ask for further details regarding these redundancies and if they are absolutely necessary.

"I have spoken to countless businesses locally, going above and beyond to support their staff.

"Some have been paying people out of their own pocket until furlough payments have come through.

"Others, who are really going to struggle when they open back up, are taking the decision to make none of their employees redundant."

Mr McMillan added: "Every business is different and each will have specific financial pressures.

"However, I would hope that those with the broadest shoulders, those continuing to be able to operate during this outbreak, would not make people redundant.

"Anyone losing their jobs just now is going to find it very difficult to find a new one in the months to come.

"Job retention is imperative at present."

Council leader Stephen McCabe has offered the help to Peel and its workers in the wake of the redundancy news.

Mr McCabe said: "I am disappointed to hear this news and offer my sympathy to the workers in Greenock who are potentially facing redundancy.

"Many businesses are experiencing similar challenges as a result of the pandemic, which has turned into an economic crisis as well as a health crisis.

"The council and our partners in PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) are available to support the company and its workforce at this difficult time."

Unite Scotland, who represent the workforce, argue that while the UK Government Job Retention Scheme is in operation there should be no compulsory redundancies.

Pat McIlvogue, their regional industrial officer, said: “Unite has been battling to stave off these compulsory redundancies by Clydeport for weeks now.

"However, more than 20 jobs are set to go by the end of the July following a consultation period.

"It’s obviously a very worrying time for the workforce but we will be doing all we can to get Clydeport to reconsider this rash decision because everything must be done to save jobs on the Clyde.

"The UK Government's job retention scheme is designed to do exactly this, so we are at a loss as to why the company has made this premature decision."