A NEW era in commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde is set to be launched this week when a Renfrew-built workboat is officially named.


The ship was constructed at the Malin Group’s Westway fabrication facility on the White Cart Water.


After hitting the water for the first time last month, the vessel has been undergoing sea trials and sailed up the River Clyde on Monday, passing underneath Inchinnan’s Bascule Bridge en route to Rothesay Dock, in Clydebank.


The ship – thought to be the first built in Renfrew since 1992 – will be officially named during an open day near the centre of Glasgow this Friday (Aug 3).


It will be open to the public at the Glasgow Science Centre’s pontoons between 9am and 5pm, with the naming ceremony taking place at noon.


Weather permitting, Malin Marine also hopes to provide brief trips on board the vessel on Friday, between the pontoon and the company’s headquarters a short distance away at the South Rotunda, in Govan.


Graham Tait, the firm’s managing director, said: “This is a major milestone for Malin Marine and the culmination of many hours of hard work by our multi-disciplined team.


“The vessel build project followed a strategic decision to expand our capability on the Clyde into the design and construction of commercial work vessels.


“A decision was taken to combine our long-standing design capability with a manufacturing facility at Renfrew to allow our business to provide turnkey solutions to our clients.


“The new vessel is one example of that capability and a natural fit.


“Our fabrication facility in Renfrew has access onto the Clyde, which meant everything was in place to commence our new venture.


“We built our small ship in the shadows of some of the world’s most famous shipyards and she follows behind some mighty ships which set sail from the Clyde.


“We hope this points to a new era of commercial marine activity on the upper Clyde.


“Our aim is to scale vessel size upwards and develop infrastructure and facilities to undertake larger and more complex projects, both in new-build and ship conversion and repair. Thus, it is critical that the Clyde remains open and accessible to this type of work.”