Shipbuilding returns to Stornoway creating up to 25 new jobs

30 November 2023

Stornoway Port Authority has announced a partnership with Coastal Workboats to lease the state-of-the-art marine engineering workshop at Goat Island.

Around 25 personnel will be recruited to construct the UK’s first all-electric workboat aimed at the ferry and aquaculture sectors.

Work is due to commence by the end of this year.

The venture is the first standalone ship building enterprise in Stornoway for a century says the harbour board.

The Devon-based company will now relocate its fabrication activities to Stornoway.

Alex Macleod, chief executive at Stornoway Port Authority, said: “We are excited to embark on this journey with Coastal Workboats.

“This partnership reaffirms our commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the marine industry.

“The facility at Goat Island is world-class, with overhead cranes specifically designed for vessel construction and we are thrilled to support Coastal Workboats as they undertake these ambitious projects.

“This agreement also marks the return of a dedicated shipbuilder in Stornoway for the first time in 100 years, and we are proud to have played our part in bringing this industry back to the island.”

Coastal Workboats director Brian Pogson said: “As a family-run company, we’ve taken pride in building Coastal Workboats on a foundation of community; actively engaging with a local workforce and supplier network throughout each chapter of our work.”

Coastal Workboats is a leading builder of steel and aluminium commercial workboats and provider of associated support services. The company is based between Devon and Scotland with the new Stornoway facility becoming its primary fabrication centre.

The firm’s 3D CAD design allows greater efficiency in the fabrication process that itself is planned to include the use of advancing technologies.

This approach joins with the company’s commitment to work with local colleges and training centres to ensure future opportunities for industry entrants and the continued upskilling of current workforce.

A four-week demonstration of the new electric boat is expected on a Shetland ferry route following completion of sea-trials and testing as part of the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

The project is supported by partner National Shipbuilding Office (NSO), with its chief executive, Rear Admiral Rex Cox saying: “The NSO are hugely supportive of Coastal Workboats’ expansion of their manufacturing capability, which should allow them to capitalise on the current opportunities in the workboat sector.

“Shipbuilding brings significant benefits to a local area; this new facility will bring circa 25 new highly skilled and well-paid jobs and will have a positive impact on the local economy and community.”

Alex Macleod, chief executive at Stornoway Port Authority at the engineering workshop