The Scottish ferry Glen Sannox faced another setback in March due to a failed weld seam, which temporarily grounded the vessel for two days. After six years of construction delays, the ferry entered operations but now grapples with a five-inch crack in its hull. While the crack was quickly repaired, it may be linked to an undiscovered vibration issue. CalMac, the ferry’s operator, is investigating the cause, collaborating with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) and Ferguson Marine.
In addition to the hull issue, Glen Sannox has encountered operational challenges. A control problem has disabled all but one of its passenger elevators, necessitating manual operation by crew members, which hampers loading efficiency. Contractors have been brought in to resolve these issues.
The Scottish government is negotiating the purchase of Ardrossan Harbor to improve facilities for Glen Sannox and its sister ship, Glen Rosa. Currently operating out of Troon, Glen Sannox would benefit from the port sale, anticipated to finalize by next summer.
Meanwhile, Glen Rosa is nearly seven years overdue and significantly over budget. Despite a projected completion date of September, Scottish MPs have expressed concerns over a lack of updates, with rumors suggesting further delays into early 2026. Ferguson Marine, now on its third CEO in just over a year, has promised to keep the Scottish Parliament informed on progress.
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