A RESCUED shipyard is on course to become “world class”, according to the businessman at its helm.

Jim McColl spoke out yesterday as the UK’s first dual-fuel passenger ferry was launched at Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) yesterday.

McColl saved the Port Glasgow yard from closure in 2014, later unveiling an ambitious five-year plan for 1,300 jobs and £65 million of investment.

Yesterday, crowds braved the Inverclyde rain as the state-of-the-art MV Glen Sannox was launched.

The 102-metre vessel runs on liquefied natural gas, a cleaner alternative to standard fuel, and also uses marine oil.

It is the first of two ferries to be built for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) in a £97m deal, and is capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers and almost 130 cars. Billed as a more sustainable travel option, it has been earmarked for the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry crossing and is due to begin operations in winter 2018-19.

McColl said: “The successful launch of the MV Glen Sannox marks an important milestone in Ferguson Marine’s journey to becoming a world-class shipyard.

“As this is the first ferry in the UK capable of being run on liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil, not only has this been an extremely exciting and ambitious project for both FMEL and CMAL, but it has been an extremely complex one as well.

“FMEL and CMAL have worked closely together on the highly challenging engineering issues arising from the unique nature of the dual-fuel ferry project.

“The experience and knowledge gained during this project will be of enormous benefit to the competitiveness of Scottish shipbuilding in the future as technology continues to develop to meet tightening clean energy legislation.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the vessel as she visited the site alongside Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.

The Glasgow MSP named and launched the boat after it was given a blessing by Reverend Liz Geddes, in accordance with seafaring tradition.

Sturgeon said: “These state-of-the-art ferries are more sustainable, therefore contributing to Scotland’s world-leading climate-change goals.

“They are also capable of carrying more vehicles and benefitting the communities that rely on them.”

Work is already under way on the ship’s sister vessel, which has yet to be named. It will connect Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Uig.

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL, said: “The use of liquified natural gas in maritime transport is a sign of our ongoing commitment to exploring new fuel technologies for ferries, as well as a wider commitment to innovation in Scotland and consideration for the environmental impact of transport.”

Fergusons entered administration in August 2014, with administrators KPMG citing a lack of orders and cash flow pressures.

The yard was originally set up in 1902 and it was feared that more than 110 years of industrial heritage would be lost in a significant blow to the local economy.

Almost all of the 70 staff had been made redundant before the rescue deal. However, numbers more than doubled within a year.

The growth plan hinges on diversification, with the company moving into servicing the oil and gas, marine and renewables sectors.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government is expected to publish its third Climate Change Plan at the start of next year as part of efforts to reduce Scotland’s emissions by 66 per cent by 2032.