Delays and rising costs continue to plague the two unfinished CalMac ferries at the Ferguson Marine yard on the Clyde.
Both vessels were originally expected to be delivered in 2018 but will be delivered almost seven six years late.
The total cost of the project is currently estimated to reach £323 million -
David Tydeman, the shipyard’s chief executive, provided the details in a letter to Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
MV Glen Sannox is not expected to be service until June, at the earliest -
Delays also impact on the second ship, MV Glen Rosa, which is now unlikely to be used for CalMac passenger duties until at least August 2025 -
The vessel launch date has been pushed back to the beginning of March with a further 15 months of work required -
Mr Tydeman warned the outcomes sea trials for the ships could throw up further delays.
He highlighted: “It would be very unusual if there are not issues of equipment or systems failing or breaking or highlighting some specification changes needed, particularly with the first-
“If trials prove difficult on Glen Sannox and we slip beyond March 31, 2024 for that ship, there will be a cascade on to Glen Rosa.”
Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP, said: “The SNP’s shambolic handling of building these two new lifeline ferries means taxpayers' money is continuing to be wasted on an astonishing scale.
“Successive SNP transport ministers have betrayed islanders time and time again. It is simply disgraceful that it has been confirmed that they will now have to wait even longer for one of these vessels to be delivered, with the 802 ferry now set to be seven years late.
“Every update from Ferguson Marine involves more costs for the taxpayers or a further slip on the endless delays island communities have had to suffer. The consequences of the ferry fiasco have been devastating for residents and the local economy in the areas affected.”
Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Alex Rowley said: “The latest update from Ferguson Marine exposes yet more failures of planning for this essential project and will be another blow to islanders who need this project to deliver for them.
“It is clear that lessons need to be learned from the management of this project and the blame for ever-
“I recently met with the current management at Ferguson Marine and they were clear that there has been a lot of reworking to do, having inherited a mess from the previous management. That the project is now costing over three times the original contract price is utterly scandalous – how was it possible to get this so wrong?
“The people suffering in this situation are the island communities that rely on ferries as a lifeline service – and not just those using the Ardrossan-
“Scotland has a long tradition of shipbuilding, and everything must be done to secure a viable and vibrant future for shipbuilding lest we lose these vital skills to history.
"That begins by the SNP Government, Cmal and Ferguson Marine acting together, ensuring a more joined-
Cost of Ferguson Marine ferries exceed three times original price
30 September 2023