A galvanizing company's expertise has played a helping hand in bringing back a passenger ferry service for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Glasgow-based Scottish Galvanizers, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, was called upon to provide its hot dip galvanizing treatment to approximately 85 tonnes of steelwork used to build two pontoons that will enable a new passenger service to run from Govan across the River Clyde.

Morayshire firm Varis Engineering transformed the steel into a series of 10 metre by 4 metre frames used to create a pontoon at Water Row, from where the ferry will transport passengers to a second pontoon outside the new £74 million Riverside Museum on the banks of Yorkhill Quay.

Passenger ferry crossings from Govan were commonplace for more than 200 years since first running in 1734, but stopped in 1965 after the opening of the Clyde Tunnel.

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"Due to the sheer size of the pontoon frames, we soon found out that very few galvanizers in the UK had the capability to process them," Calum MacDougall, Sales Director of Varis Engineering, revealed. "Thankfully the team at Scottish Galvanizers was on hand to provide us with a very efficient and highly professional service."

Paul Tait, Commercial Manager for Scottish Galvanizers, commented: "This project is very exciting news for Glasgow. Not only is it bringing back a passenger ferry service from Govan for the first time in nearly 50 years, but it is being launched to coincide with the fantastic opening of the new Riverside Museum."

The ferry service will be operated by Clyde Marine Services using Fencer, a 33-seater vessel. The route is expected to be up and running in time for the official opening of the Riverside Museum on 21st June.

Wedge Group Galvanizing is the largest hot dip galvanizing organisation in the UK with a history dating back over 150 years. With 14 plants strategically placed across the country, they offer a truly national galvanizing service.

For further information please contact Wedge Group Galvanizing on Tel: 01902 630311 or visit www.wedge-galv.co.uk