Transport / Chinese shipyard decision shows ‘how far SNP have lost their way’, Labour candidate says
“A SEAT at the table that ends with ferry contracts going to China is no achievement at all”.
Labour candidate John Erskine has strongly criticised the Scottish Government’s decision to award the contract to build two freight-flex ferries for the Northern Isles to a Chinese shipyard.
Erskine, who is standing for the Shetland MSP seat at Holyrood in May, also took aim at SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad after the news was announced on Tuesday.
Evoking her “seat at the table” campaign slogan, Erskine said those already sitting at the table were not delivering for island communities.
However SNP candidate Goodlad responded strongly to Erskine this week, saying that Shetlanders “don’t need lectures from mainland-based Labour candidates – we need ferries”.
The Labour election hopeful previously called for the two Chinese shipyards in the running for the £200 million contract to be ruled out, saying that “state-backed” workplaces should be discounted.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) announced on Tuesday though that Guangzhou Shipyard International Co, Ltd (GSI) was the preferred bidder to build two new vessels to serve Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
The 140m long freight-flex ferries will replace the Helliar and Hildasay, with additional passenger capacity for 200 people during peak periods.
Erskine said the decision “shows just how far the SNP have lost their way”.
“They like to talk about being ‘Stronger for Scotland’, but this SNP government is taking decisions that look stronger for China – buying ferries and even buses from overseas while local communities are left waiting,” he told Shetland News.
“Now, hundreds of millions of pounds of public money looks set to be shipped overseas yet again to a state-backed Chinese yard.
“That raises serious questions about fairness, resilience, and whether Scottish and UK industry is getting a fair chance.”
The Scottish Labour candidate said the SNP had “completely failed Scotland’s island communities” and “still can’t get the basics right”.
“We’re told the SNP candidate wants a ‘seat at the table’ – but what has that actually delivered for island communities?” Erskine asked.
“A seat at the table that ends with ferry contracts going to China is no achievement at all.
“Island communities across Scotland deserve better than this. They deserve ferries that are reliable, affordable and delivered on time and a government that finally puts their needs, and Scotland’s interests, first.
“Right now, this decision falls well short of that.”
The SNP’s candidate for the Shetland seat at May’s election, Goodlad, answered back that “those of us who live [in Shetland]” do not need “lectures from mainland-based Labour candidates”.
“Labour’s claims ignore the reality of the situation,” she said.
“The priority for this government is simple: deliver reliable ferries for island communities as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.
“Procurement decisions must follow legal rules and ensure best value for the public purse-something any responsible government would do.
“The decisions the Scottish Government are taking are about getting reliable vessels in the water as quickly as possible.
“And if elected, I look forward to sitting as close as possible to this contract to ensure that islanders needs are front and centre of vessel design and decision making.”
Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said that most people would be more interested in the reliability and affordability of the new ferries than where they were built.
But he said it “reflects poorly that no shipyard closer to home” was considered.
“Nineteen years of SNP government has seen the hollowing out of Scottish industry, from the construction of the new Forth Road Bridge using Chinese steel in 2015 to the mismanagement of Ferguson Marine and the Western Isles ferry service, to this announcement,” he said.
“We need our ferries to represent value for money but it is disappointing that after two decades in charge this is the best option the SNP government has left us with.”
Current isles MSP Beatrice Wishart however was pleased at the contract’s progress.
“We urgently need greater capacity for freight so progress on the building of the new freight flex vessels for the Northern Isles is a positive development,” she said.
“Wherever the vessels are built, they must be fit for purpose to address the needs of the islands.”
The GSI shipyard in China was one of four “invited to tender” for the £200 million project to build the two new freight-flex ships.
The Cemre and Tersan yards in Turkey were also both being considered, along with Stena UK – alongside its reliance partner CMJL, from Weihai in China.
CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said GSI’s bid demonstrated a “commitment to innovation and efficiency”.
“We are confident they will deliver a reliable, robust pair of vessels to support the Northern Isles ferry service for years to come,” he said.
The other election candidates publicly confirmed so far for the Shetland constituency are in alphabetical order: Alex Armitage (Greens), Emma Macdonald (Liberal Democrats) and Brian Nugent (Alliance to Liberate Scotland).
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