Further delay to delivery of first of two new vessels for Arran ferry route
Ferguson Marine bosses have confirmed the Glen Sannox will now not be handed over to CalMac until July 31st at the earliest
It has been confirmed the first of two new ferries due to serve the Isle of Arran will now not be handed over to CalMac until the end of July.
Ferguson Marine’s new interim chief executive revealed the latest delay – adding another two months on to the delivery time for the Glen Sannox – in a letter to the convenor of Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Edward Mountain MSP.
In it, John Petticrew cited complications with the vessel’s liquified natural gas (LNG) system as the reason for the setback.
Bosses are now targeting July 31 as the date when the Glen Sannox - the first of the two ferries - can be handed over to operators CalMac.
The Glen Sannox and sister ship the Glen Rosa are now some six years late and will cost around three times the original £97 million price tag.
READ MORE: Glen Sannox to begin sea trials after delays
In his update, Mr Petticrew said the Glen Sannox should cost between £145.5 million and £149.1 million.
"We remain confident we can close within this range," he said in the report to MSPs on Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
Mr Petticrew, who took on the job after the board of Ferguson Marine sacked his predecessor in March, blamed the "particularly challenging" liquified natural gas (LNG) system being installed in the vessels for the delay.
He said the "lack of available expert knowledge and qualified resources in the UK in relation to marine LNG systems has, disappointingly, contributed to further slippage in the progress that we have been able to make in the last few weeks".
However he added the shipyard "remains confident" the Glen Rosa can be delivered by September 2025 at a cost that should "not exceed a maximum of £150 million".
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: "This latest delay is yet another huge blow to Scotland's betrayed island communities.
READ MORE: "Betrayal of island communities" as 2023 set to be worst year for ferry cancellations
"It means that - after testing - another whole summer season will have gone by without desperately-needed new CalMac vessels being in operation, thanks to the SNP's monumental incompetence.
"That's another peak holiday season for hotels, restaurants and businesses completely at the mercy of a decrepit fleet that simply can't be relied upon."
Duncan Mackison, interim CEO of CalMac, said: “Everyone at CalMac is looking forward to welcoming MV Glen Sannox into our fleet, she will provide stability and resilience to both Arran and to the wider network. We stand ready to actively support CMAL and Ferguson’s to help them to deliver both the Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa as soon as possible.”
Mr Petticrew accepted the delay will be a "disappointment", particularly for locals on the island of Arran where the ferry is due to go into service.
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.