Yet another setback for hugely delayed Ferguson Marine ferry Glen Sannox

The hugely-delayed Ferguson Marine ferry Glen Sannox has been delayed by another three weeks because of further problems with installing its dual fuel system, the yard has revealed.

The difficulties with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) equipment, which will be used to power the CalMac vessel along with traditional diesel, mean its July 31 delivery date has been put back to at least August 19.

The news comes three days after Economy Secretary Kate Forbes told MSPs that when she met yard chairman Andrew Miller and interim chief executive John Petticrew a few weeks ago, “both of them confirmed to me that they see no change to the commitment to deliver the vessel by the end of July”.

Glen Sannox being completed at the Inchgreen dock in Greenock in April. (Photo by John Devlin/The Scotsman) | John Devlin

The ship for the main Arran route to Brodick - CalMac’s busiest - should have been completed six years ago. Its cost has quadrupled, although no further increase was announced on Friday.

The shipyard also said work on sister vessel Glen Rosa was “not at the rate we would like to see”, but did not signal any delays or cost increase.

Mr Petticrew told MSPs in his latest progress update on Friday: “The LNG system has been well documented as the biggest challenge we were facing since our last report. It has proved even more difficult and has impacted the progress in other areas, namely the engine compartments.

“We still have a small portion to complete in the commissioning, but this has been moved to an alternate shift so as not to have further interference with other critical activities.

“This has resulted in a movement of the schedule causing a slight delay, with delivery now being the week commencing August 19.

“We are working with CalMac and [Scottish Government ferry owners] Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited at the highest level to ensure there will be no further delays.

“Regarding the final cost to go, we have reviewed the status and even with the revised delivery date, we remain confident within the range previously forecast, namely the £145.5 million to £149.1m.”

Mr Petticrew said Glen Rosa was still expected to cost no more than £150m, meaning the two vessels’ total cost remains at around £400m, including the original £97m contract price. Glen Rosa is due to be completed in September next year, also for the main Arran route.

Mr Petticrew said remaining work on Glen Sannox, which will also require some two months of trials by CalMac before going into passenger service, included the final part of LNG testing over the next week.

Other tasks at the Inchgreen dock in Greenock, where Glen Sannox is moored, included completing steam cleaning and painting of the engines’ spaces, commissioning the piping system and “acceptance trials”.

On Glen Rosa, Mr Petticrew said: “The final schedule is nearing completion and there has been a significant increase in activity onboard the vessel. However, it is still not at the rate we would like to see.”

CalMac interim chief executive Duncan Mackison said: "I am pleased to say we have reviewed our plans for sea trials and will be able to absorb this delay into our own eight-week period for getting Glen Sannox ready to enter service.

“What this means in practice is that this slight delay has no impact on our plans to get the vessel into the fleet and carrying passengers as quickly as possible."

Ms Forbes said: “While any further delay is disappointing, the decision to reschedule by three weeks will allow the yard to deliver the Glen Sannox this summer as well as protect other critical work. It is encouraging all parties are working together to ensure that the vessel enters service as quickly as possible.

“I will be visiting the yard soon and expect to have another full and frank discussion with the interim chief executive about delivering both vessels. I remain committed to ensuring these vessels are delivered for our island communities. The programme to deliver six vessels by 2026 remains on target.”