Methil BiFab yard purchased out of administration as part of £850,000 deal

The BiFab yard in Methil has been bought out of administration by InfraStrata as part of a deal worth £850,000.

But the deal does not include the yard in Burntisland, with the only other yard bought out being the one in Arnish on the Isle of Lewis.

The two sites purchased will come under the Harland and Wolff name.

Harland and Wolff have have a shipyard in Belfast.

BiFab went into administration in December after the Scottish Government withdrew financial guarantees to support the manufacture of eight turbine jackets for the Neart na Gaiothe offshore wind project.

In a joint statement, Unite Scotland Secretary Pat Rafferty and GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith said:

"The announcement by InfraStrata that two of the BiFab yard will be bought out of administration is welcome news.

"It is also testimony to our members and their communities who have fought hard to keep these yards alive.

"We look forward to working with the company to ensure it is prime to win contracts for the offshore wind sector, and to having a positive working relationship underpinned by the Fair Work principles.

"We have always believed that the BiFab yards, and indeed yards and ports all over Scotland, are uniquely placed to capture the benefits of the offshore wind sector."

The government's Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP said she is looking forward to working with the new owner.