Ferguson Marine announces another six month delay to Glen Rosa ferry
The CalMac ferry was supposed to be completed and in operation back in 2018
Last updated 13th May 2025
Ferguson Marine shipyard has announced that the completion of the Glen Rosa ferry has been delayed by a further six months.
The yard's new CEO, Graeme Thomson, has said that already delayed vessel will not be ready until April/June 2026, compared to the previous deadline of September 2025.
The CalMac ferry, which was initially set to be completed in July 2018, is due to sail between Troon in South Ayrshire and Brodick in Arran.
Glen Rosa, along with the Glen Sannox, have both been plagued by delays and price hikes leaving them well over their initial £97m budget.
The total forecast cost to complete has now increased to £172.5 million with an additional £12.5 million risk contingency, giving a maximum forecasted cost of £185 million.
The yard was taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government after previous owners fell into administration in 2019.
'We apologise unreservedly'
Graeme Thomson said: “This is not the announcement we wanted to be making at this stage and cannot overstate our understanding of the importance of providing realistic handover schedules to support CalMac to provide a more reliable and robust service to the communities it serves.
“No one wants to see the swift delivery of MV Glen Rosa more than Ferguson Marine and we are committed to working hard to ensure the vessel is delivered within this window.
“We apologise unreservedly to islanders for this additional delay and want to assure everyone that we are working extremely hard to deliver a quality vessel that showcases the skill and experience of Clydebuilt ships.
"Once delivered, MV Glen Rosa will be transformative for our island communities.”
'Taxpayers deserve better'
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "I have communicated my disappointment and frustration to the Board of FMPG at the confirmation of a further delay and increased estimated cost to deliver the Glen Rosa.
"Taxpayers, and the communities which depend on the island ferries service, deserve better.
“I have instructed that a new weekly review group be established, chaired by Ferguson Marine and comprising the yard and our independent technical advisers CMAL, to scrutinise the vessel’s delivery plan and ensure it is realistic, efficient and cost-effective.
"This is now operating alongside existing project meetings which continue to oversee key milestones, cost forecasts and operational performance.
“It is imperative that that there is no further delay or additional cost to deliver the vessel beyond this point.
"Ferguson Marine’s leadership must take immediate and sustained action to restore trust, enforce delivery discipline, and bring this project under control. I also hold the Board to its word that every opportunity to bring this cost down will be identified.”
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