Ship Building the eventual Shipyards are a major part of Greenock's history. After the first harbour was built in 1710, the first well known Ship Builders (Scott's) was established in 1711. Scott's was once the oldest Ship Building business in the World and was known for building such ships as the "Price of Wales". It then nationalised in 1969 and in the same year merging with Lithgow, forming Scott Lithgow.

Between the years of 1825-1882 the Ship Building Grew. The total recorded tonnage of vessels was just over 29,000 tons (1825) and soared to a massive 168,644 tons (1881). This acting as a platform for attracting industry's to be formed through the town. Also in this building period the Glasgow and South Western railway ran down and connected to Prince's Pier.

Through it's growth, becoming a major Shipping Port of the Shipping World. Nowaday's freight container ships visit Greenock's Prince's Pier's ocean terminal's cranes where there goods are handled. This terminal is also visited regularly by cruise liners visiting Scotland.