(July 14th 2001)
Efforts to Save Clyde Shipyard Jobs
Shipbuilders BAE and Swan Hunter have entered into discussions to bring forward the construction of two landing ships at Govan.
Last Autumn the Ministry of Defence (MoD) selected Swan Hunter to design four landing vessels, two of which would be built by BAE's Govan shipyard. The contract was vital in sustaining the yard until construction of the Type 45 destroyers commenced in 2003. However, although work was due to begin this month, the project has fallen behind schedule. This contributed to a lack of short term work for BAE and on Tuesday the company announced over 1,000 job losses.
Swan Hunter have indicated they are working to complete structural plans as quickly as they can, so that steel cutting at Govan can begin as soon as possible- perhaps as early as this September- thereby saving jobs
Nevertheless, BAE have warned against raising expectations.