Local media think something is cooking. Although nobody wants to confirm, there might be an initiative to launch a Calais-Tilbury ferry route, in anticipation of a congestion of the port of Dover.
Ferguson Marine Engineering directors have served notice of their intent to go into administration.
The business has been involved in a long-running dispute with the Scottish government over the construction of two ferries for CalMac.
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL) last month launched legal action against Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) in a row over a £97 million contract to build two new dual-fuel ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.
Both ships look set to be months behind schedule.
Central to the dispute is the cost of building the two new ferries.
FMEL claims that the operator has demanded hundreds of design changes.
CMAL insists the work is covered by the original contract.