What's happened
Two major ferries built for CalMac at Ferguson Marine face further delays due to corrosion and hull issues. The Glen Rosa will now be completed by late 2026, up to eight-and-a-half years late, with costs rising significantly. The delays highlight ongoing problems at the state-owned shipyard.
What's behind the headline?
The repeated delays at Ferguson Marine reveal systemic issues within the yard, including underinvestment, management challenges, and technical difficulties. The latest setbacks, with the Glen Rosa now expected in late 2026, underscore the yard's ongoing struggles to deliver complex vessels on time and within budget. The significant cost increases, from an initial
397m to over
3460m, reflect these persistent problems. The Scottish government’s support, including a
314.2m modernization fund, aims to turn Ferguson Marine into a more efficient and competitive shipbuilder. However, unless structural reforms are implemented, delays and cost overruns are likely to continue, impacting island communities and the broader regional economy. The situation exemplifies the risks of relying on state-owned enterprises for critical infrastructure projects, especially when technical and managerial issues are not swiftly addressed. Moving forward, transparency and strategic investment will be crucial to restore confidence and ensure timely delivery of vital ferry services.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports that the Glen Rosa will be completed by the end of 2026, with delays caused by corrosion and hull deterioration discovered during drydocking. Sky News highlights that the yard's issues have led to costs soaring from
397m to over
3460m, with further delays likely. Both sources emphasize the yard's systemic problems and the Scottish government's ongoing support, but The Scotsman provides more detail on the technical causes and modernization efforts. The articles contrast in tone: The Scotsman focuses on the technical and managerial failures, while Sky News underscores the financial implications and political accountability. The recurring theme is the yard's struggle to meet deadlines and control costs, raising questions about the future of Scottish shipbuilding and infrastructure projects.
How we got here
Ferguson Marine, a Scottish government-owned shipyard, has faced years of delays and cost overruns on two ferries, the Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox. Originally due in 2018, the vessels' completion has been repeatedly postponed due to design, construction, and technical issues, including problems with hull coatings and corrosion. The yard was nationalised in 2019 amid concerns over its performance and financial stability, with recent modernization efforts and government support aimed at improving its competitiveness.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Ferguson Marine Ltd. is a shipbuilding company, with a yard located in Port Glasgow on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is the last remaining shipbuilder on the lower Clyde, and is currently the only builder of merchant ships on the river - the company'
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The Scottish Government is the devolved government of Scotland.
The government is led by the First Minister, who selects the Cabinet Secretaries, who attend Cabinet, and Ministers with the approval of Parliament.