Ferguson Marine shipyard's pledge as hugely-delayed CalMac ferry Glen Rosa reaches new 'milestone'
The ferry should have been completed in 2018
The Ferguson Marine shipyard is “absolutely committed” to delivering the hugely-late Glen Rosa ferry for CalMac by the end of the year as construction nears completion, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
Graeme Thomson said what will be one of the operator’s largest vessels was in the final stages of commissioning and outfitting in dry dock ahead of sea trials.
The 850-passenger ferry should have been completed seven years ago but has been delayed by design and building problems, including to its dual diesel and liquefied natural gas fuel system, which also led to sister vessel Glen Sannox being finished six-and-a-half years late in 2024.
Glen Rosa is also expected to cost four times its original contract of some £50 million.
Mr Thomson informed MSPs in January that the total, including contingency, had increased to £197.5m - a month after revealing a further six month delay.
That followed the yard announcing in May last year that its completion had been delayed from September 2025 to between April and June this year, with the cost going up from £150m to £185m.
Glen Rosa has been moved from the Scottish Government-owned shipyard in Port Glasgow where it was launched two years ago for a scheduled second period in dry dock in Greenock until mid-July for inspections of its hull and rudder, remedial work to the stern tubes, painting, outfitting and structural work.
It will then return to Ferguson Marine to finish commissioning before sea trials, whose commencement date has yet to be announced.
Mr Thomson said: “Seeing a vessel of this size and complexity transition into dry dock is yet another rewarding milestone for our team.
“It signifies that we are moving out of the construction phase and focusing heavily on the final stages of commissioning and outfitting.
“We are proud of the momentum the team is maintaining and remain absolutely committed to delivering Glen Rosa to the highest standards in Q4 2026. [October-December]”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of Scottish Government-owned ferry-owning firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which ordered the vessel, said: “This is another important milestone, and we welcome this further step towards vessel completion and delivery.”
However, Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Willie Rennie said: “Islanders will greet this news with a shrug.
“The boat is years behind schedule and its sister vessel had to be returned to docks for more work after its sea trials so they know not to get their hopes up.
“I hope, however, that for the good of the yard, bosses are now hunting hard for a pipeline of work so that Ferguson Marine can turn a corner and grow into a successful endeavour.”
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Tim Eagle said: “This self-congratulatory announcement from SNP-run Ferguson Marine is one that should have been made eight years ago.
“Islanders will be hoping that the end is finally in sight for this lifeline ferry to finally enter service, but will be holding their breath after years of SNP incompetence.
“Instead of seeing this moment as a cause of celebration, serious questions remain as to how this ferry has been so delayed and over budget – and above all – why no SNP ministers have ever taken responsibility for this scandal.”
Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Daniel Johnson said: “After years of delays and millions of pounds of overruns, any progress delivering this long-awaited ferry is welcome.
“The SNP must work with Ferguson’s to make sure the Glen Rosa enters service as soon as possible and doesn’t cause the same chaos as the Glen Sannox.
“For too long islanders, taxpayers and shipyard workers have been let down by a ferry system that isn’t fit for purpose.
“We need to design a new system that delivers the ferries that islanders need, provides value for taxpayers and supports Scottish jobs.”
Economy and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “I welcome the news that Glen Rosa is entering the final stages of its build.
“She is expected to enter service in early 2027, providing additional capacity to service Scotland’s island communities.”
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