Labour candidate wants Chinese shipyards ruled out of running for ferry contract

LABOUR’S candidate for the Shetland seat at the 2026 Scottish elections has expressed concerns about Chinese shipyards being in the running to build new freight vessels.

The GSI shipyard in China is one of four being “invited to tender” for a £200m project to build two new freight-flex ships to serve the Northern Isles route.

The Cemre and Tersan yards in Turkey are also both being considered, along with Stena UK – alongside its reliance partner CMJL, from Weihai in China.

However the Scottish Labour party has raised concerns about two Chinese shipyards being considered for the work.

Paul Sweeney, who is MSP for Glasgow, questioned whether the Scottish Government would instruct Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to disregard any Chinese bids.

He said there were reported concerns regarding “unfair, market-distorting state support for Chinese shipbuilding firms”, as well as the lack of a trade agreement between the UK and China.

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John Erskine will stand for Labour at next year’s Scottish elections.

John Erskine will stand for Labour at next year’s Scottish elections.

And John Erskine, who is standing to for the Shetland seat at next May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, agreed with Sweeney’s comments.

“If Scottish Ministers are serious about supporting Scottish industry and fair competition, they should rule out handing contracts worth hundreds of millions to state-backed shipyards in China,” he told Shetland News.

“Island communities have waited far too long for a ferry procurement system they can trust.

“After years of delays, cost overruns and broken promises, people in Shetland and across the Northern Isles deserve better.”

Erskine said that public money should be used to “support good jobs, fair work and a level playing field”, not be used to “reward unfair market practices abroad”.

“Islanders need ferries that are reliable, affordable and built through a process we can have confidence in, not another chapter in the SNP’s ferry fiasco.”

The estimated £200 million cost covers both vessels as well as other projects costs including shore power upgrades.

Tender returns are expected by late November, with a view to awarding the contract in February 2026.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said last month: “The Scottish Government is committed to investing in our ferry fleet to better meet the needs of island communities, so I’m very pleased to see the second stage of procurement process for two new freight flex vessels get underway.

“This is an important milestone in our plans to improve ferry services and I look forward to following the progress of this project over the coming months.”

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