What's happened
The Glen Rosa ferry, under construction for CalMac, faces further delays due to hull corrosion and technical issues. Originally due in 2026, it may now be completed by 2027, with costs rising significantly amid ongoing operational challenges at Ferguson Marine shipyard.
What's behind the headline?
The delays at Ferguson Marine highlight systemic operational issues that have plagued the yard for years. The latest problems with hull corrosion and stern tube deterioration reveal underlying maintenance and quality control failures. Despite promises of modernization and increased efficiency, the yard remains hampered by underinvestment and management challenges. The Scottish government’s support, including a314.2m for upgrades, aims to turn the yard around, but the repeated delays threaten its reputation and future contracts. The extended timeline to 2027 will likely increase costs further and prolong disruption for island communities. This situation underscores the importance of robust oversight and strategic investment in regional industrial assets to prevent recurring failures and ensure timely delivery of critical infrastructure.
What the papers say
Sky News reports that the Glen Rosa's delivery has been delayed due to hull coating deterioration and corrosion issues identified during drydocking, with the earliest new slot in late 2026. The yard's CEO, Graeme Thomson, expressed regret and emphasized ongoing modernization efforts. The Scotsman adds that the ferry's completion is now up to eight-and-a-half years late, with costs rising from a3150m to a3185m, citing problems with hull coating and stern tube corrosion. Both articles highlight the yard's systemic operational challenges, the Scottish government’s financial support, and the impact on island communities. The Scotsman also notes delays with the Isle of Islay ferry, which is over a year late due to supply issues, further complicating Scotland’s ferry procurement. The coverage underscores a pattern of delays, cost overruns, and operational difficulties at Ferguson Marine, raising questions about the yard’s future viability and the effectiveness of government intervention.
How we got here
The Glen Rosa and its sister ship, Glen Sannox, have experienced years of delays since their initial contracts in 2018. Built at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, the vessels faced design and construction issues, including problems with dual-fuel propulsion systems. The yard was nationalised in 2019 amid financial difficulties, with costs ballooning from an initial a397m to over a3460m. The delays have impacted island communities relying on these ferries, with the yard undergoing modernization supported by Scottish government funding.
Go deeper
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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.