The order book is bare, but the new Spanish owners of the troubled Harland & Wolff fabrication yard in Fife have promised staff a bright future for decades to come.
After entering administration in September, workers in Methil and on the Isle of Lewis have been experiencing a worrying time.
However, state-owned Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has now bought the firm, securing 350 jobs in Scotland, and has long-term investment plans.
Meeting workers in Methil on Wednesday, First Minister John Swinney was joined by the UK industry minister, and both believe this is a milestone moment for the future of the troubled yard.
Swinney hailed the takeover as “a really important day for Scotland”.
He said: “The yards at Methil and Arnish have both got really formidable reputations and have contributed so much to the development of the industrial story of Scotland.
“But obviously, in recent years, they have faced tough times. So, I really welcome the acquisition by Navantia.
“It’s been a lot of good working with the company to secure this acquisition and to secure the future of the yard.
“And that comes at a really timely moment because Scotland is just on the brink of realising the most spectacular offshore energy opportunity that we could imagine, and that will be realised as a consequence of the investments being made by the Scottish Government.
“So much of that has the potential to be undertaken from here in Methil.
“So, it’s a really important day for Scotland, a landmark day for the workforce and something that can bring us real confidence about the delivery of the green industrial revolution that the Scottish Government is so committed to delivering.”
Industry minister Sarah Jones said: “When we got into government last year, one of the first things we were faced with was the potential collapse of Harland & Wolff, and we knew that we could not let that happen.
“We couldn’t let the talent of the workforce here go to waste, so we were very involved in all the conversations around whether we could secure a deal with Nevantia and I am so pleased that we have.
“Because it doesn’t just give us short-term security, it gives us long-term security that the workforce here deserves.”
But many of the nearly 200-strong workforce have been here before, as orders and owners have come and gone.
Harland & Wolff employee Mark Davidson said: “For me personally, it has been a bit of a difficult time of late, wondering where we would be going, if we were going to have to work away again and what this seems to have brought now is security.
“I think for the whole area, it is bringing something back that we have had in the past, and it is nice to go on this journey with Navantia.”
Derek Paul said: “I think everyone is looking for a fresh start and a new challenge. It is great for the area and great for the apprentices coming through.
“So we are looking forward to a good future ahead.”
Navantia has promised investment in Scottish yards and staff security.
The work now begins to ignite new orders and fabricate a brighter future.
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