Ferguson Marine shipyard accused of 'self-congratulatory' announcement over massively-delayed Glen Rosa ferry
Glen Rosa is due to be on the water in 2027
The Clyde shipyard building a CalMac ferry running eight years late has been criticised for a “self-congratulatory” announcement that its second spell in dry dock has finished “ahead of schedule”.
Glen Rosa is not expected to be finished until the end of the year due to multiple problems that have repeatedly put back its July 2018 original completion date - and the vessel is also likely to cost four times its £50 million contract price.
Port Glasgow yard Ferguson Marine said on Monday about the dry dock work: “ We are pleased to have been able to complete the programme of work ahead of schedule”.
It said Glen Rosa would start sea trials “in the coming months” but without naming a date, which The Scotsman understands will be in September.
That will be the acid test for the ferry when it moves under its own power for the first time.
Andrew Milligan, the Scottish Government yard’s executive director of technical, said: "We understand how eagerly island communities are anticipating this vessel so it was vital we got this dry dock right.
“We are pleased to have been able to complete the programme of work ahead of schedule and are now focused on continuing to make steady progress ahead of sea trials to restore confidence in modern Clydebuilt standards.”
Sister vessel Glen Sannox has suffered multiple faults since being completed in 2024 including a hull crack caused by vibration from a propeller, which will have to be replaced.
Scottish Conservatives transport spokesperson Tim Eagle said of Glen Rosa: “Islanders will be hoping that the end is finally in sight for this ferry which is massively over budget and years behind schedule.
“This sort of self-congratulatory message is one that should have been delivered years ago.
“Instead, SNP ministers have presided over a complete fiasco which has left communities without lifeline services and taxpayers footing an ever-increasing bill.
“Serious questions still remain as to why the Glen Rosa is still to enter service and why no SNP minister has ever taken responsibility for this scandal.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Willie Rennie said: “Islanders will take this with a pinch of salt given that the Glen Rosa is already eight years late. Nevertheless, I am glad that progress is being made.”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, the Scottish Government firm which owns the ferries, said of the dry dock work completion: “This is welcome news, and marks another step towards the Glen Rosa joining her sister vessel on the network.”
However, he underlined the importance of the sea trials to come. He told The Scotsman: “This is the last big hurdle and the critical pivotal point.”
Mr Hobbs also warned that if the ferry isn’t delivered by mid-December, it would be “nigh on impossible” to get it by the end of the year before of the pre-Christmas wind-down.
The dry dock work in in Greenock included removing marine growth from the hull. Before sea trials, the ferry’s dual fuel diesel and liquefied natural gas system will be tested.
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