Work to Start on Scottish Marine Technology Park

Confirmation of funding from West Dunbartonshire Council as part of the Clyde Mission project will enable the Scottish Marine Technology Park to progress to stage 2 in its developments, to commence piling works for the quayside at the Old Kilpatrick site.

Once complete, the park will include a large fabrication facility and a deep-water jetty with a 1,100 tonne ship hoist – the largest of its kind in Europe.

Managing Director of The Malin Group, who own SMTP said: “We are delighted with the support the park has received in this latest step,” he said. “We are excited about the potential that the Marine Technology Park offers Scotland’s marine industry, as well as for local residents and the wider economy.

“Once complete, the SMTP will offer new roles to previously unimagined local residents, whilst also attracting new organisations and sustainable green work to the Clyde to create a thriving, inclusive and progressive working community.”

Once complete, the SMTP will include several large fabrication facilities, room for a large number of smaller suppliers and a deep-water jetty with a 1,100 tonne ship hoist, the largest of its kind in Europe. Due to be completed in 2024, it is envisaged as a centre of excellence for marine engineering and complex marine manufacturing. The hub is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs. 

Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “This project in Old Kilpatrick will take an 18 hectare polluted brownfield site which has lain unused for almost 30 years and create an inclusive technology park which will have significant long term economic and social benefits for West Dunbartonshire.

“Securing this funding is an important milestone because it allows the project to move forward from planning stages to seeing the first piece of infrastructure in the ground, which will be the catalyst for future investment in the site.

“I have no doubt that the creation of the quay will be a pivotal factor in attracting the right marine businesses to the Clyde.”

Councillor Marie McNair, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “The Clyde has a long and proud history of shipbuilding and so I am delighted that this funding has been awarded to allow the Scottish Marine Technology Park to progress, bringing marine manufacturing back to the river.

“During consultations on the development of this land, our residents told us that the most important factors were jobs for the area and public access, and this funding will allow the Council alongside the Malin Group, to start work on delivering both of those at the start of next year.

“I look forward to seeing the transformation of this derelict land, and I am sure the development will positively impact upon Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire for many years to come.”

With this recent confirmation of funding from West Dunbartonshire Council and the Clyde Mission, we have also been developing and now published a white paper outlining our vision of creating a marine technology hub for Scotland.

To find out more about the ongoing work at the site, future plans and opportunities, visit scotmtp.com