Calmac ferry faces further safety delays, causing additional hold-up.

Sea trials for the Glen Sannox ferry, being built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, have been delayed due to last-minute changes. The shipyard stated that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency had reassessed the application of “cargo ship” rules, necessitating modifications to doorways and additional staircases. As a result, sea trials will be pushed back to the first quarter of next year, and the commissioning of LNG systems at Troon will also be delayed until after Christmas. The shipyard is now working closely with key individuals from the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, CMAL, and CalMac to monitor the commissioning and handover process.

The Glen Sannox ferry is one of two vessels being built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard, and it was originally scheduled to be in service by the spring. However, delays and cost overruns have plagued the project, with the ferries now expected to cost more than three times their original budget. The yard was rescued from collapse in 2019, leading to parliamentary inquiries and an investigation by Audit Scotland. The Glen Sannox ferry is intended to serve the Isle of Arran, while its sister ship will operate in the Western Isles.

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