Glasgow outfit Malin Group has unveiled plans to set up a marine manufacturing hub on the Upper Clyde River in Scotland that could generate 1000 new jobs.
The Scottish Marine Technology Park is earmarked for a 19-hectare site at Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire and is at an advanced planning stage with the local council.
The site is land zoned for industrial use and will have direct access to a deep-water channel via an 80-metre long quayside berth with heavy lift facilities.
Malin Group managing director John MacSween (pictured) said the hub could be a “magnet” for marine engineering and technology organisations and “a centre of excellence” for the sector.
Land development and infrastructure consultants Peter Brett Associates carried out an economic impact assessment of the development and found that 986 jobs will be created if the plan is fully realised, and £125.4m a year added to the local economy.
Construction of the project would also create 600 additional short-term jobs.
MacSween said: “What we are looking to achieve at Old Kilpatrick is to complement these activities and bring other marine clients, companies and interests here. I believe this development will be a magnet that will draw marine organisations to it, and that it will ultimately become a centre of excellence for the sector.
“The flexibility of the site is key. We will provide a blank canvas and I see it as an industrial marine incubator. We want to create a Marine Technology Hub which brings together providers of research, skills development, design, manufacturing and practical marine operational and logistics experience in a location that has complementary facilities backed by direct access to the deep-water channel of the River Clyde.
“We are very pleased to have Scottish Enterprise working with us in pushing this venture forward and excited about the impact it will have both on this part of the Clyde, and Scotland as a whole.”
Scottish Enterprise regional head of partnerships Mark Newlands said: “We welcome Malin’s ambitious plans to revitalise this site and create much needed jobs in the West Dunbartonshire area. We look forward to working alongside the company to support its growth aspirations.”