Latest news with #Clydebuilt
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Glen Rosa delayed again as SNP Government ferry fiasco drags on for another year
The Glen Rosa was supposed to be launched in 2018 and enter service the following year but has been subject to repeated delays. The shipyard at the centre of the one biggest scandals of the devolution era has announced another delay in the competition of a long-awaited car ferry. Ferguson Marine, which was nationalised by SNP ministers in 2019, said it would not be able to complete the Glen Rosa until the second quarter of 2026. The ferry was supposed to be launched in 2018 and enter service for Caledonian Macbrayne the following year on the Troon - Arran route. Bosses at the Port Glasgow shipyard said the final bill will be £185m - up from the last estimate for £150m. Glen Sannox, the sister ferry of Glen Rosa, finally entered service earlier this year after suffering similar delays. The decision by SNP ministers in 2015 to award the contract to build the two ferries to Ferguson Marine has been repeatedly questioned in the decade since. The yard was saved from collapse by billionaire Jim McColl in 2014 but it collapsed into administration five years later with work on the ferries already hugely delayed. Former Babcock chief executive Graeme Thomson joined Ferguson Marine as its new chief executive in March. 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. 'We apologise unreservedly to islanders for this additional delay and want to assure everyone that we are working extremely hard to deliver a quality vessel that showcases the skill and experience of Clydebuilt ships." Lib Dem MSP Jamie Greene said: "This latest delay is another hammer blow to Scotland's islanders, who will be utterly livid at this bad news. "The severe delay announced is beyond anything expected and now raises serious questions for Scottish ministers. "The MV Glen Rosa should have been delivered back in 2018, now islanders might have to wait until after the next Scottish Parliament election before this vessel enters service, which is a disgrace. "The hard-working staff at Ferguson Marine have been let down by bosses, all paid huge sums of public cash, yet islanders are still waiting on their ferries. Not a single SNP minister has lost their job over this fiasco. "We demand an urgent statement to Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to explain this enormous delay."
STV News
13-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
CalMac ferry delayed for another six months as costs soar by £35m
The second Ferguson Marine ferry, millions over budget and years late, has been delayed for at least another six months. The Glen Rosa remains outstanding as the total cost of both it, and the Glen Sannox, approaches £400m – more than four times the initial £97m figure. It had been expected to be delivered in September, but the nationalised shipyard announced on Tuesday that it won't be ready until at least April 2026. The total estimated cost has also increased by £35m – including a £12.5m contingency – to £185m. It comes after reports that parts of the ferry were removed for use on the Glen Sannox. Appearing before a Scottish Parliament committee in February, then-interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine John Petticrew said the yard was doing 'a bottoms up on the Glen Rosa, including all the lessons learned that we got at the tail end of the Glen Sannox'. The delay comes in the first weeks for new CEO Graeme Thomson. '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,' he said. '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. 'We apologise unreservedly to islanders for this additional delay and want to assure everyone that we are working extremely hard to deliver a quality vessel that showcases the skill and experience of Clydebuilt ships. Once delivered, MV Glen Rosa will be transformative for our island communities.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Ferry fiasco ship delayed until Spring 2026 as costs rise by £22.5million
SHIP HITS THE FAN Ferry fiasco ship delayed until Spring 2026 as costs rise by £22.5million SCOTLAND's ferry fiasco ship has been delayed for another six months with costs rocketing by another £22.5million, it has been confirmed. Ferguson Marine confirmed in a letter to MSPs today that the Glen Rosa, sister ship to the troubled Glen Sannox which entered service earlier this year, would now only be ready by "Q2 2026". Advertisement The update comes after a long delay, with the Glen Rosa now set to be delivered seven years late. We reported in January how Holyrood insiders expected the news despite the yard's insistence it would be finished in September this year. The new chief executive at Ferguson Marine, Graeme Thomson, apologised for the fresh delay. He said: "This is not the announcement we wanted to be making at this stage and cannot overstate our understanding of thimportance of providing realistic handover schedules to support Advertisement 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. 'We apologise unreservedly to islanders for this additional delay and want to assure everyone that we are working extremely hard to deliver a quality vessel that showcases the skill and experience of Clydebuilt ships. "Once delivered, MV Glen Rosa will be transformative for our island communities.' Advertisement
Daily Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Millionaire cruise sells cabins for $86m each
Cruise companies are embracing the growing trend of people who want to live full-time at sea by building residential ships instead of pure holiday vessels. More and more people, particularly retirees, are choosing a full-time cruise ship life as a way of seeing the world without the nuisance of maintaining a home and other associated costs of living on land. Many even claim that full-time cruise living done right can be more economical because it includes accommodation, utilities and food at a set price all while enabling 'residents' to see the world at a fraction of the price of traditional holidays. Proactive cruise companies recognising the birth of a new sector have begun investing in the construction of residential ships where people can actually buy suites onboard. Residential cruise ships are appealing to those seeking a full-time cruise lifestyle because it removes the need the hop from ship to ship and live among traditional holiday-seekers. MORE: Woman drops $2.9m on cruise ship home MORE:True cost of living on a cruise ship revealed Prices vary for residential cruise ships but many companies are catering for the higher end of the market. Scottish company Clydebuilt is one such company looking to the future and aiming to lock in a cashed up clientele. Clydebuilt is in the process of building a 230m-long residential ship which will include 236 suites across 12 decks. The ship, Dark Island, is set to launch in 2028 and will feature suites of one-to-three bedrooms that range in size from 39sq m to 250sq m … but they come at a cost. Suites can be designed to a buyer's needs and specifications with prices starting at AUD $8.7 million depending on size, location and views from the ship. The most expensive accommodations top out at a hefty price tag of AUD $86.3 million but the cost doesn't stop there. MORE: Couple sell home to live on 15-year cruise MORE: Dark side of living on a cruise ship exposed Residents aboard Dark Island will also need to pay a daily fee which covers food, shore excursions and running costs. Residents in the two-person Glencoe suite will need to cough up an additional AUD $2400 a day or AUD $876,000 a year while those in the four-person Hebridean will by stung for AUD $6600 a day or AUD $2.4 million annually. 'Owning a suite is more than just acquiring a living area — it's a gateway to unparalleled freedom, luxury, and adventure on the open water among a community,' a Clydebuilt spokesman said. 'Founded on an absolute commitment to quality, Clydebuilt are dedicated to provide the ultimate experience living at sea. Purchasing a luxury, high-end suite aboard Dark Island is a fantastic choice for those seeking an elevated living experience.' Dark Island will include three restaurants, deck areas, a spa, driving range and putting green, theatre, gym, pool, library and shops. Scheduled events and classes will keep residents busy while at sea and the maximum capacity of 724 guests will be looked after by 540 crew. Dark Island's maiden voyage will see the ship depart Southampton in the UK for a three-year cruise around the world followed by an itinerary the follows the routes of historical explorers James Cook, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. Subsequent itineraries will then be subject to voting from residents. The ship will also have its own medical staff and facilities, including a stored helicopter for emergency use. Clydebuilt is just one of many companies going down the residential cruise ship path. Storylines' MV Narrative, another residential cruise ship, is scheduled to depart in 2027. Reportedly, residents must be worth at least $10 million to gain entry and be sponsored by someone already living aboard. US woman Debra Kilgore has no qualms about sailing the world by herself. In fact, she bought a AUD $2.9 million apartment aboard the ultraluxe MV Narrative. The MV Narrative has 530 furnished apartments, which range from 22-to-183 sqm and start at $US1 million for a studio and up to $US8 million for a split-level four-bedroom.
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Millionaire cruise sells cabins for $86m each
Cruise companies are embracing the growing trend of people who want to live full-time at sea by building residential ships instead of pure holiday vessels. More and more people, particularly retirees, are choosing a full-time cruise ship life as a way of seeing the world without the nuisance of maintaining a home and other associated costs of living on land. Many even claim that full-time cruise living done right can be more economical because it includes accommodation, utilities and food at a set price all while enabling 'residents' to see the world at a fraction of the price of traditional holidays. Proactive cruise companies recognising the birth of a new sector have begun investing in the construction of residential ships where people can actually buy suites onboard. Residential cruise ships are appealing to those seeking a full-time cruise lifestyle because it removes the need the hop from ship to ship and live among traditional holiday-seekers. Prices vary for residential cruise ships but many companies are catering for the higher end of the market. Scottish company Clydebuilt is one such company looking to the future and aiming to lock in a cashed up clientele. Clydebuilt is in the process of building a 230m-long residential ship which will include 236 suites across 12 decks. The ship, Dark Island, is set to launch in 2028 and will feature suites of one-to-three bedrooms that range in size from 39sq m to 250sq m … but they come at a cost. Suites can be designed to a buyer's needs and specifications with prices starting at AUD $8.7 million depending on size, location and views from the ship. The most expensive accommodations top out at a hefty price tag of AUD $86.3 million but the cost doesn't stop there. Residents aboard Dark Island will also need to pay a daily fee which covers food, shore excursions and running costs. Residents in the two-person Glencoe suite will need to cough up an additional AUD $2400 a day or AUD $876,000 a year while those in the four-person Hebridean will by stung for AUD $6600 a day or AUD $2.4 million annually. 'Owning a suite is more than just acquiring a living area — it's a gateway to unparalleled freedom, luxury, and adventure on the open water among a community,' a Clydebuilt spokesman said. 'Founded on an absolute commitment to quality, Clydebuilt are dedicated to provide the ultimate experience living at sea. Purchasing a luxury, high-end suite aboard Dark Island is a fantastic choice for those seeking an elevated living experience.' Dark Island will include three restaurants, deck areas, a spa, driving range and putting green, theatre, gym, pool, library and shops. Scheduled events and classes will keep residents busy while at sea and the maximum capacity of 724 guests will be looked after by 540 crew. Dark Island's maiden voyage will see the ship depart Southampton in the UK for a three-year cruise around the world followed by an itinerary the follows the routes of historical explorers James Cook, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. Subsequent itineraries will then be subject to voting from residents. The ship will also have its own medical staff and facilities, including a stored helicopter for emergency use. Clydebuilt is just one of many companies going down the residential cruise ship path. Storylines' MV Narrative, another residential cruise ship, is scheduled to depart in 2027. Reportedly, residents must be worth at least $10 million to gain entry and be sponsored by someone already living aboard. US woman Debra Kilgore has no qualms about sailing the world by herself. In fact, she bought a AUD $2.9 million apartment aboard the ultraluxe MV Narrative. The MV Narrative has 530 furnished apartments, which range from 22-to-183 sqm and start at $US1 million for a studio and up to $US8 million for a split-level four-bedroom.
