Glen Sannox ferry major milestone towards passenger service announced

However, no date has been given for the transfer - and the ferry has a further hurdle to clear that means it is unlikely to enter service on the main Arran route to Brodick until January.

The announcement comes three days after The Scotsman reported well-placed sources saying the vessel would be finished this week.

Yard interim chief executive John Petticrew told MSPs in his latest update letter: “Ferguson Marine has been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyd’s Register to secure the vessel’s mandatory certifications.

“We are delighted to share that Glen Sannox has now obtained full regulatory approval, including its passenger certification.

“Subject to the completion of the required legal and contractual processes, the vessel will be officially transferred to its new owners, Cmal [Scottish Government ferry owning firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited].

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“Control of the vessel will then be handed to CalMac, who require six-and-a-half weeks for operational readiness and annual recertification activities.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders who have contributed to this process.

“We wish the Glen Sannox and its crew smooth and successful voyages in the years to come.”

The announcement brings one of the longest running political issues in Scotland one step closer to being over.

In 2019, the yard was saved from administration by the Scottish Government, laying bare the issues facing the Glen Sannox and its sister ship the Glen Rosa.

Initially planned to cost around £97 million and be delivered in 2018, the cost is now expected to be around four times higher, while delivery dates have been repeatedly pushed back.

Once entered into service, Glen Sannox will have to operate on the longer route between Troon and Brodick because harbour upgrading at Ardrossan to accommodate it has still to be agreed, let alone built.

The ship is docked at Inchgreen in Greenock because there is not enough space at the Port Glasgow yard where sister vessel Glen Rosa is berthed and is due to be completed next September.

Extensive sea trials for Glen Sannox that were described as an “overall success” have involved testing the ferry’s novel liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel, which it will use along with traditional “marine gas oil” [MGO].

LNG is primarily methane, used in central heating boilers and gas cookers. The fuel system is also being fitted to Glen Rosa, which will also run on the main Arran route.

But four CalMac ferries being built in Turkey will run on MGO only, although they could be retrofitted in future for another fuel.

CalMac has previously said it intended to “maximise the use of LNG” by Glen Sannox, and the fuel’s lower environmental impact rather than cost was the key factor.

The Glen Sannox is poised to enter service after the Scottish Government last month confirmed that ferry fares would increase by 10 per cent from next year.