Shipyard confirms new delay and cost rise for CalMac ferry
The delivery date for MV Glen Rosa, the second of two dual-fuel CalMac ferries being built by the nationalised Ferguson shipyard, has been put back by up to nine months.
The cost of the ship has also risen - by up to £35m - meaning the two ships will cost upwards of £460m, more than four-and-a-half times the original contract price.
Ferguson Marine said it now expected Glen Rosa to be "substantially complete" in the first quarter of 2026, with final delivery taking place between May and June.
The ship, which is to serve CalMac's Arran route, was originally due for delivery in July 2018.
MV Glen Rosa was launched from the Ferguson slipway in Port Glasgow a year ago in a far more finished state than its identical sister ship MV Glen Sannox seven years earlier.
While there was much "fitting out" work still to be done, including specialist cryogenic pipework for its liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, it was hoped it could be delivered by the end of September this year.
Why has it taken to long to build Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa?
New CalMac ferry successfully launches into River Clyde
Ferguson Marine's newly-appointed permanent chief executive Graeme Thomson apologised "unreservedly" to islanders as he confirmed this was no longer possible.
He said: "This is not the announcement we wanted to be making at this stage and cannot overstate our understanding of the importance of providing realistic handover schedules to support CalMac to provide a more reliable and robust service to the communities it serves.
"No one wants to see the swift delivery of MV Glen Rosa more than Ferguson Marine and we are committed to working hard to ensure the vessel is delivered within this window."
The update gave no detailed reasons but BBC Scotland News understands there have been knock-on impacts from delays in the construction of the previous ship.
Glen Sannox was finally delivered to its owner, ferries procurement body CMAL, last November after a number of late stage complications with the specialist LNG pipework and commissioning of the engine systems.
Sources at the shipyard said significant resources had to be diverted from Glen Rosa in order get Glen Sannox into service.
In an update letter to MSPs, Mr Thomson said the cost to complete the vessel would rise from £150m to £172.5 plus a further £12.5m for contingencies - taking the forecasted cost to £185m.
Glen Sannox was completed for about £150m but these figure do not include £83m paid out prior to nationalisation, or £45m of government loans that were subsequently written down.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said she has communicated her "disappointment and frustration" at the announcement to the Ferguson board.
She added: "I have instructed that a new weekly review group be established, chaired by Ferguson Marine and comprising the yard and our independent technical advisers CMAL, to scrutinise the vessel's delivery plan and ensure it is realistic, efficient and cost-effective."
The contracts for Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, the first LNG-powered ferries ever built by a UK shipyard, were awarded to Ferguson Marine in 2015, and both ships originally were due for delivery in 2018.
But design challenges and disputes between the shipyard's former owners and government-owned ferries body CMAL led to a stand-off over claims for extra costs.
Ferguson Marine maintained that a poorly-developed specification and repeated interference by CMAL had led to unforeseen complications.
CMAL denied this and claimed the yard's new owners had underestimated the complexity of the project.
The stalemate eventually resulted in Ferguson's going into administration and being taken into state ownership in 2019 with the project already about £100m overbudget.
Problems continued after nationalisation with further delays and costs further.
MV Glen Sannox is now in service on CalMac's Arran route, but the state-owned ferry operator remains under pressure as it awaits the arrival of new replacement vessels for its ageing fleet.
Four other large ferries under construction in Turkey are also delayed with the first of them, MV Isle of Islay, due for delivery later this summer.
Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build?
Were Scotland's new gas-powered ferries a bad choice?
New CalMac ferry successfully launches into River Clyde
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
CalMac news, interviews and updates about the ferry operator
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), the Scottish Government-owned ferry operator, plays a crucial role along Scotland's west coast. Serving islands such as Arran, Bute, Mull, Islay, and Skye, it provides vital connections for residents and businesses alike. The service is a key lifeline for the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Firth of Clyde islands. Read on for all the latest CalMac news, interviews and updates on the ferry operator. As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest CalMac news stories. Ferguson Marine: Swinney urged to act over funding stalls 'Doubt' over CalMac new ferry contract from October Why does CalMac still run Scotland's ferries amidst continuing ire? You can request a refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before departure – but a £10 admin fee applies. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice or don't show up, you won't get a refund – though there are some exceptions. Check the full details at: (Image: Newsquest) Cancellations must be made through the Customer Engagement Centre. Customers can also change their bookings online through their account, according to CalMac's website. CalMac is owned by the Scottish Government. Prior to 1990, CalMac was part of the state-owned Scottish Transport Group. CalMac has adjusted services across its network due to delays in the annual overhaul. This includes changes to vessels and schedules. The operator has advised customers to check the service status page for the latest information. CalMac ferry customers can check the timetable and status of their service online or on X, @CalMac_Updates. CalMac has a wide range of tickets and food options. According to the official website, adults aged 16 and over require a ticket, while children aged five to 15 can travel for half the adult fare. Onboard, passengers can enjoy self-service dining at the Mariners cafeterias, with options including homemade soup of the day, freshly made baguettes, fish and chips, Scottish steak pie, and 'CalMac and Cheese.' For children, meals include chicken fillet bites, mac and cheese, and mini fish and chips. CalMac strongly recommends that foot passengers book online or by phone in advance, although tickets may still be available to purchase at the port depending on the route. For details on turn-up-and-go routes and more information, visit: You can bring your pets on board CalMac ferries, but you'll need to book a free pet ticket in advance. Pets are welcome on all outside passenger decks, but for hygiene reasons, they're not permitted in food, drink, or carpeted areas. Assistance dogs are allowed in all public areas of the ferry, except designated children's play areas. For full details, visit the pet travel FAQ: Travelling with pets.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
JARI chief, at her final Showcase for Commerce before retiring, says expo has 'created jobs and economic viability'
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Johnstown Area Regional Industries President and CEO Linda Thomson has long been synonymous with Showcase for Commerce. She has helped shape the business and defense contracting exposition's identity since joining JARI in July 2000. Billions of dollars of production and investment have been made in the local economy thanks in part to her efforts. Now Thomson's time with JARI and Showcase for Commerce is coming to an end. She plans to retire this summer. This year's 34th annual Showcase for Commerce is scheduled to conclude Friday with the John P. Murtha Breakfast, press conference, public exhibition inside 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial, and luncheon. 'It's just been something that I've really enjoyed, even though it's a lot of work and effort,' Thomson said. 'I think it's something that we can all be proud of and something that, as a region, we've really become known for excellence in this defense industrial base area.' Showcase was the vision of U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the longest-serving congressman in Pennsylvania history. The event has brought businesses to the Johnstown region, developed the local defense contracting industry and provided networking opportunities. Thomson's first Showcase was in 2001. Murtha died in February 2010. 'Linda and I both realized that we needed to transform the Showcase to keep it relevant and to keep that value that had been created by Mr. Murtha,' Showcase for Commerce Chairman Ed Sheehan Jr. said. 'She and I were very devoted to that cause.' Sheehan is the president and CEO of Concurrent Technologies Corp., one of the defense contractors that have benefited from Showcase over its more than three decades. Sheehan said he and Thomson 'both recognized how important the Showcase was and what it meant to the region, but also what it meant to the defense industrial base and our national security.' A video tribute to Thomson was presented during the Government Acquisition Leaders Briefings and Panel Discussions Thursday. Comments were given by numerous people, including former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., former U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, current U.S. Reps. Glenn 'GT' Thompson and Dr. John Joyce, and Murtha's widow, Joyce Murtha. Thompson also spoke about Thomson during his keynote address inside the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center. 'Linda, let me summarize things up this way, we love you,' Thompson said. 'Thank you for all that you've done to make Showcase such a great success and a great model. It's pretty easy to brag about this three-day event in Washington with my colleagues from all across the country.' Showcase is put on by JARI and the Cambria Regional Chamber. Many local businesses, international companies, elected officials, colleges and representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense have also participated. 'It has just been such a pleasure and honor to work for all these years with people who are so committed to our region and to our economy,' Thomson said. When looking back at Showcase's impact, Thomson said, 'The bottom line is it's grown our economy, it's diversified our economy and it's helped bring dollars flowing into us, into our area. That has created jobs and economic viability. That's certainly the bottom line.' Cambria Regional Chamber President and CEO Amy Bradley credited Thomson for her role in that success. 'Linda is great at what she does,' Bradley said. 'She is a great convener of people and a great organizer. She's well-known and she's well-liked. I think for a lot of people she is synonymous with Showcase for Commerce.' Bradley praised Thomson: 'I've seen her really work to transform lives.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Showcase for Commerce returns to Johnstown convention center
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Showcase for Commerce returned for its 34th year at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference in Johnstown. The three-day conference started on Wednesday. 'Johnstown is very well equipped to be a leader in the defense industrial base. We have been growing over a period of time over these 34 years,' Linda Thomson, President & CEO of JARI, said. Thomson is the outgoing president at JARI. This year will be her last showcase. She said JARI has helped Johnstown stay competitive by working with other businesses. Somerset teacher shortage, leaders warn of worsening child care crisis The 2025 Showcase for Commerce has even more exhibitions on a national and regional level. 'I think one of the things that JARI's been able to do over the years is to be, sort of a catalyst for bringing information and help to any of the companies that we work with. Everyone here works together. And I think the real lesson learned for me over these years is collaboration works. And if we all pull together, we actually succeed,' Thomson said. Thursday's Keynote speaker was Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson. He shared some ideas on how he believes the government acquisition process is in need of reform going forward. He also thanked all the companies and employees who provide great manufacturing for national security. He also said that being a great listener is key for government acquisitions. 'For government leaders, I mean, I think that's the most important skill that we come to the table, those elected officials, at whatever level of government. And that is, as I like to say it very simply, use what God has given us two ears, one mouth,' Thompson said. Showcase for Commerce ends at the Cambria County War Memorial on Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
