News + Ideas

This past Friday, Greenock Ocean Terminal was featured on STV News at Six, reaching national audiences in a celebration of the project’s completion and the lift it brings to the local economy. Greenock, a formerly prosperous shipbuilding town, will see its docks flush with pride once again as the new £19.2 million cruise ship terminal and visitor centre is expected to bring an estimated £26 million boost to the Scottish economy—not to mention 70 new jobs created within the building’s walls.

MGAC has been working closely with Inverclyde Council to deliver the Terminal for more than 5 years from its local office in Glasgow, providing cost management services from early feasibility stages and project management services as Employer’s Agent. The development represents the continuation of a long and storied connection with Scotland’s built environment.

Alongside representatives of Inverclyde Council, Clydeport, and staff from the facility’s restaurant, Matt Barrington, Director, was interviewed by Ewan Petrie for STV News at Six on Friday, 25^th August. Standing in the shelter of a Cunard cruise ship, the Queen Victoria, Matt spoke to the shared efforts that made this project a success.

At the opening ceremony on Friday, guests, stakeholders, and dignitaries received a traditional bagpipe welcome before hearing impassioned speeches from Lord Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister for Scotland; Neil Gray MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing, Economy, Fair Work, and Energy; the Lord Provost of Inverclyde, Councillor Drew McKenzie; and others, as well as performances from accomplished young musicians from local schools.

The Greenock Ocean Terminal is not only a passenger port; it has a deep connection to the region’s cultural history. Its gallery, devoted to the celebrated, late, local engineer-turned-artist / performer George Wyllie, will offer valuable space for local and touring art exhibitions and events. Bathed in natural sunlight, the high-walled ‘Wyllieum’ will remain free to the public. On the building’s upper level, a lively yet delicately designed Scots bar and restaurant—aptly named ‘Scotts’—offers panoramic views of the River Clyde.

The Greenock Ocean Terminal was delivered by Inverclyde Council with funding from the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, as well as contributions from The George Wyllie Foundation, Buzzworks, and Peel Ports. MGAC would like to acknowledge the achievements of Richard Murphy Architects Ltd., Heron Bros., and the rest of the project team.

Video content courtesy of STV. Please be advised that playback of the original programme is no longer available.