Inchgreen dry dock campaign plea rubber-eared by government

A Holyrood petition led by the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock - calling for the Greenock maritime site's owners to be nationalised - has been backed by more than 1,100 supporters in the month since it was launched.

The petitioners want Clydeport's status as the Harbour Authority for the River Clyde revoked and the compulsory purchase of the currently dormant dry dock, in order to release parent company Peel Ports' 'stranglehold' on the region's industrial development.

A campaign poster (Image: Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock)

However, a parliamentary committee response to the demands categorically states that the Scottish Government 'has no plans to explore compulsorily purchasing, revoking the powers of, or nationalising Clydeport'.

The submission says: "Clydeport is an established port operator, which provides benefits for the local economies in which it operates and across the Scottish economy.

"The activities Clydeport facilitates, the employment which it provides for, and the investment made in recent years, are of significant importance to the Scottish economy."

READ MORE: Demand for port firm's 'stranglehold' on key industrial asset to be broken

The committee response points to the £17 million order for two new cranes at Greenock Ocean Terminal, following the dismantling of the current structures, which will be 'the largest single investment made at the site' since it opened in 1969.

Campaigners argue that since Peel Ports leased the dry dock to a fledgling ship decommissioning firm in 2021, promising the creation of 100 jobs that have failed to materialise, Inchgreen has lain empty with 'many broken promises to maintain and return it to a fully operational marine facility'.

The ScotGov submission adds: "From the cruise facilities at the Ocean Terminal in Greenock and the regeneration of the Inchgreen dry dock, to its plans for the former coal port at Hunterston, Clydeport’s facilities are creating opportunities for investment, jobs and skills that will benefit the people and businesses of Scotland, especially in growth sectors such as renewables.

"The company reports that it remains a significant stakeholder in the development of the Clyde’s industrial growth, providing not only the means to service local markets but to allow a global reach through in-house connectivity to other UK ports such as Liverpool and Medway."

With reference to the dry dock specifically, the Scottish Government said Inchgreen is a 'strategically important asset to Clydeport' and, as such, the company has said that it will 'continue to market and promote the site for future port related ventures', including the use of the dry dock.

The submission continues: "Clydeport have said that they are willing to explore any fully costed, credible plan or project for the dry dock.

READ MORE: Inchgreen Dry Dock tenants under fire again amid latest company changes

"However, it must be noted that viable projects which would make full use of the facility are limited, due to its size and the cost associated with maintaining it in its current fit-for-purpose state."

Organisers of the petition expressed their frustration at the lack of progress over recent years and claimed the same excuses are being repeated by decision-makers.

However, the campaigners vowed that 'this is only the start of the process', with the committee still to assess the petition and further responses before reaching a decision.

The Telegraph told last month that Atlas Marine Decommissioning Services - which has a long-term lease of the dry dock - has been renamed Marine Decommissioning Services, with just one director remaining as the sole person in charge.

No vessels have yet been brought to the Greenock site and one member of the campaign ironically claimed 'the only thing that’s been decommissioned was the firm itself'.