The new £48.5 million ferry for the Skye triangle route has been delayed again.
The modern 102-
Earmarked for the North Uist and Harris runs, the ship was due to be handed over this year.
The Ferguson Marine shipyard on the Clyde said they experienced “highly challenging” engineering issues.
Fergusons are constructing two ships of the same type which will be the first UK ferries to run on both liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil.
Transport minister Micheal Matheson said: “Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd has advised that the first vessel, the MV Glen Sannox, will be delivered during Summer 2019, and the second vessel in Spring 2020.
“Following delivery, Calmac Ferries Ltd require around two months for trials and crew familiarisation before each vessel is fully deployed on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.”
MV Glen Sannox will take up the busy Arran route while her sister ship will replace the MV Hebrides.
Hebrides News previously reported the yard experienced problems with building the ferries.
Ferguson Marine chief executive, Jim McColl, highlighted the “extremely complex” difficulties.
“Highly challenging engineering issues arising from the unique nature” of the dual fuel ferry project presented “unforeseeable challenges.”
The ferries will be owned by Scottish Government company, CMAL, which will lease them to Cal Mac.
Both vessels will have a lifetime of over 30 years and could operate in a wide number of harbours and routes.
Designed to run on either marine diesel or LNG gas, the more efficient engines will cut down on CO2, sulphur and nitreous oxides emissions.
The ferry building contract provided a welcomed lifeline for the Ferguson shipyard which fell into administration with financial problems in 2014.
Millionaire businessman Jim McColl, took over the business, rehired staff and announced expansion plans.
New Western Isles ferry will be two years late
16 August 2018
