MSPs visit Port Glasgow for tour of delayed CalMac ferries
Four members of the Public Accounts Committee visit Ferguson Marine
Last updated 31st Oct 2022
MSPs on the Holyrood committee investigating the CalMac ferries scandal have been taken on a fact-finding tour of the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow to help them scrutinise a watchdog report into project which has run years late and is massively over-budget.
As part of their visit to the nationalised shipyard four members of the Public Accounts Committee spoke to workers, senior management, and trade union representatives about progress on the controversial dual-fuel vessels.
Inspecting progress
The first ship – MV Glen Sannox – is being fitted out following it’s launch nearly five years ago, in November 2017, since requiring expensive remedial work to correct design and construction errors.
The ship is expected to enter service on the Ardrossan to Brodick route as the main vessel serving the Isle of Arran in the summer of 2023.
Arran route boost
Its sister ship, known only as Hull 802, remains under construction on the slipway and it is expected to be launched in a more complete state than the Glen Sannox.
Originally intended to serve the ‘Uist Triangle’ in the Outer Hebrides there is now a possibility it may also be used as a second ship on the Arran run following an announcement from the Scottish Government bringing forward an order for an additional two ships.
First Minister on the spot
Taking part in the visit were Committee Convener, Richard Leonard MSP, Deputy Convener Sharon Dowie MSP along with Willie Coffey MSP and Craig Hoy MSP.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to give evidence to the Committee on Friday.
West coast ferries
MV Glen Sannox launch
Perhaps the most infamous ferry in Scotland, MV Glen Sannox was launched by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow in November 2017. The yard won the contract to build two ferries which could be powered by either regular marine diesel fuel or LNG. Five years later the ship has yet to enter service and the yard has been nationalised after falling into administration amid a row with the Scottish Government about the delays and escalating cost of the project.
MV Glen Sannox delays
MV Glen Sannox is intended to become the main ferry for the service between Ardrossan and Brodick on the Isle of Arran. A sister ship - as-yet unnamed - will operate in the Western Isles. The vessels are more than five years late and will cost £250m - more than twice their original budget. The ship has required extensive remedial work including alterations to the hull and replacement of the original electrictal cables which were found to be too short. It is expected to be in service in summer 2023.
Busiest route
CalMac's busiest route is the crossing between Largs and Cumbrae Slip in the Firth of Clyde, which in summer operates every 15 minutes, although drivers can be forced to wait in queues of more than an hour at the busiest times. In 2021 it carried 175,000 vehicles and 619,000 passengers.
Oldest vessel
CalMac's least-busy route is a summer-only service between Ardrossan and Campbeltown in Kintrye, which carried just 8,427 passengers in 2021. It is operated by the firm's oldest ship, MV Isle of Arran, which was launched in Troon in 1983.
Passengers only
CalMac operates the passenger-only service between Dunoon and Gourock. For many years the route also carried vehicles but there was long-standing controversy with claims of unfair public subsidy against a rival private operator. The service can be vulnerable to poor weather conditions relying on lighter vessels such as the catamaran Ali Cat.
Battery power
For the last decade CalMac has made the first moves to reduce the carbon emissions of its fleet with the introduction of three hybrid ferries which can operate on battery or diesel power. They were constructed at the Ferguson yard in Port Glasgow and operate some of the shortest crossings on the network
Private rival
There are ferry services which are not run by CalMac. The privately-owned Western Ferries operates between McInroy's Point (near Gourock) and Hunter's Quay (near Dunoon) on a turn-up-and-go service using up to four vessels at one time.
Foreign-built ships
Until the recent Ferguson scandal CalMac's newest and largest ships had been built by foreign yards, including the MV Finglaggan, launched by the Remontowa yard in Poland in 2010 to serve Islay.
Capacity issues
Since 2016 The introduction of the cheaper RET fares structure - linked to the cost to drive the same distance by road - and increasing popularlity of 'staycation' and campervan touring - is linked to increasing pressure on routes to the most popular islands, with sailings booked-up weeks in advance.
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