The project at the centre of Scotland’s ferries fiasco is facing even more delays.
Bosses at the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard have confirmed that the handover date for the first of two CalMac ferries being built at the yard has been pushed back once again.
The Glen Sannox’s handover date has been moved back from August 19 to September 30, MSPs have been told.
The state-owned shipyard has identified more areas which need work as it continues to face problems with the installation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel system.
Both Glen Sannox and its sister ship, Glen Rosa, are designed to run on both traditional marine gas oil and LNG – becoming the first ferries built in the UK to do so.
Going nowhere soon… Ferguson Marine has delayed the handover of the Glen Sannox yet again
The latest delays come as CalMac prepares to retire one of its oldest vessels, MV Hebridean Isles, in November.
Ferguson Marine’s interim chief executive John Petticrew wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s Transport Committee yesterday (FRI) to confirm the latest delay.
He said: ‘We have, regrettably, identified an additional number of areas which require to be completed on the vessel before we can proceed to acceptance trials.
‘The majority of these works will have to take place in relatively small engine spaces, which are already delayed by the prolonged installation of the LNG system, due to the complexity of installation and need to examine the integrity of the pipework.’
He said this would lead to increased workforce congestion on parts of the vessel, meaning a re-evaluation of health and safety standards is needed.
Mr Petticrew continued: ‘As I’m sure you’ll agree, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our team is our number one priority, especially in an industry like this, where there is simply no room for half measures or cutting corners.
‘Following a review of these challenges, we are conscious of the risk associated with nearing completion of MV Glen Sannox’s ‘first-in-class’ dual fuel design and we therefore signal an official handover deadline of September 30 2024.
‘This date, which would allow us breathing space to consider any unknown issues during LNG/owners trials and post-trial inspections, could however be pulled forward should we prove the vessel with no issues raised at sea trials or during the final sign-off procedures.’
He said he would update the committee on the cost implications of the latest changes.
Current cost estimates for Glen Sannox are between £145.5 million and £149.1 million and it is hoped the cost for Glen Rosa will be kept below £150 million.
Now six years late, the total bill will be three times the original £97 million price tag.
Scottish Conservatives transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: ‘This beggars belief – or it would if this SNP scandal had not long gone beyond being a cruel joke.
The new CalMac ferry, MV Glen Sannox, and its sister vessel Glen Rosa are massively behind schedule and vastly over budget
‘Betrayed islanders have been waiting years for these vital lifeline ferries, and were only recently told that the Glen Sannox would miss the whole of the crucial summer season.
‘Now it will not sail before the end of September at the earliest.
‘This latest failure piles insult on injury for our island communities, who have been let down at every turn by SNP incompetence.
‘This is a national embarrassment that has cost the Scottish taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds, yet the delays continue. There can be no more excuses. Ministerial heads must roll.’
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: ‘News of further delay to the handover of Glen Sannox is deeply disappointing.
‘We are working closely with Ferguson Marine to ensure the company is doing all it can to complete the handover as quickly as possible, and hopefully sooner than September 30.
‘Health and safety is the overriding priority, especially with the yard under pressure to complete Glen Sannox.
‘We have been assured that all necessary steps are being taken to protect the workforce and deliver rapid progress.’
