The ship has been moved from the Glasgow Science Centre to Govan Graving Docks, marking the first ship to berth at the historic facility in nearly four decades.

The extensive restoration, expected to take a year, begins with a 3D laser scan of the ship’s structure. Key components such as the funnels, wheelhouse, windows, and teak boat and promenade decks will be removed and replaced with new ones. The project meets Classification Society (Bureau Veritas) and MCA regulations, ensuring the vessel’s return to active service upon completion.

Peter Breslin, managing director of Marine Projects Scotland, said: “It is a tremendous honour to be awarded the TS Queen Mary restoration contract. In the coming year, we will devote ourselves tirelessly to safeguarding, protecting and reviving this exquisite and historically significant vessel.

“Securing this contract is testament to our commitment and confidence in the business viability of Govan Drydock. As a fully operational ship repair and maintenance facility, it has the capacity to generate employment opportunities and contribution to the ongoing reinvigoration of the Clyde waterfront.”

Iain Sim, chairman of Friends of TS Queen Mary, added: “The Trustees are delighted that this major contract will commence in TS Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary year. It will be truly transformative for this vital part of our maritime heritage.

“This major structural work will help breathe new life into TS Queen Mary and ensure she will be in the best possible condition for years to come.”

Harry O’Donnell, chairman, New City Vision who own the site, said: “We are delighted that such a historic ship as the TS Queen Mary will be restored at our site in Govan. It is testament to the hard work that Marine Projects Scotland Ltd has done to date on Dock No1 that it is now in a position to be brought back into working order for the first time in more than 40 years.

“The restoration of Dock No1 is an important part of our wider vision to bring the Govan Graving Docks back into use, alongside the creation of new homes, commercial use and thriving new community spaces including a new riverside park and active travel routes through the site, all of which are currently undergoing extensive consultation.”

The TS Queen Mary, launched in 1933, was once a crowning jewel in the UK’s maritime history. During WWII, the ship served as a lifeline for Scotland’s island communities, carrying approximately 13,000 passengers weekly. After 35 years out of service, the Friends of TS Queen Mary charity brought her back to the Clyde in 2016. Listed on the UK’s official historical ships register in 1996, she remains the last of her kind in the world.