Mairi McAllan insists government ready to 'stand behind' Ferguson's

However, Mairi McAllan admitted that she is under no illusion as to the challenges facing the Port Glasgow yard's future with many fearing Inverclyde may never again enjoy a similar event.

The wellbeing economy secretary spoke to the Telegraph following the successful launch of the Glen Rosa, having earlier in the day maintained that the Scottish Government 'continues to stand behind' the yard despite no further orders being in the pipeline.

Mairi McAllan and Stuart McMillan (Image: George Munro)

"My view is very much that this is about celebration," said Ms McAllan, "it's about admiration for the workers of Ferguson Marine and for the community in Port Glasgow and Inverclyde generally.

"You could see that today with the numbers of the crowds that were here to witness this quite majestic launch.

"I think it means a lot to people to know that Scotland's shipbuilding heritage is alive and well on the Clyde.

"To see this significant project which has had its challenges begin to come to fruition, and also having the five female apprentices on the stage, was really important because it said 'This is the future of Scottish shipbuilding and it's in safe hands'."

Hundreds gathered for the launch on Tuesday (Image: George Munro)

The celebrations were tinged with uncertainty over the nationalised yard's future prospects but the minister said 'no stone will be left unturned' when it comes to finding a positive route forward.

She said: "Direct award [for smaller ferry contracts] is only possible in very strictly limited circumstances and whichever other contracts Ferguson Marine decides to bid for is completely up to them.

"Competitiveness is the key to all of this. That's why we have to very quickly work together on the new business plan to understand how we improve competitiveness here, so that we can win contracts public or private."

Ms McAllan claimed the September 2025 delivery date for the Glen Rosa is achievable and confirmed that she backed the Ferguson board's shock decision to replace former CEO David Tydeman.

She said: "It's an uncertain world, these are complex engineering challenges, it would be probably foolish to say that there is not likely to be challenges that could be faced between now and then but we are nearing completion, the Glen Rosa will learn from issues that arose in respect of the Glen Sannox and I think the board have more confidence now in many of the assumptions that are underpinning the predictions in terms of cost and delivery.

"We are increasingly confident on them but of course I'm not going to rule out challenges emerging."