FERGUSON Marine ship yard’s updated timeline for the delivery and handover of MV Glen Rosa puts it eight years behind schedule.
The revised target is full sign-off and delivery of the ferry for Caledonian Maritime Assets by the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Port Glasgow yard had previously estimated the CalMac vessel would be “substantially complete” by the first quarter of 2026 with the aim to achieve full sign-off and delivery in the second quarter of 2026.
When ordered, it was supposed to be complete by July 2018.
During the vessel’s first dry dock in August, Ferguson Marine identified corrosion in its stern tubes and deterioration of the hull coating. To carry out the necessary remedial work to resolve these issues, the vessel will need to spend an extended period in its second drydock, with the earliest available time slot falling later in 2026.
Graeme Thomson, chief executive of Ferguson Marine said: “We deeply regret having to announce a further delay in the delivery of Glen Rosa. I am acutely aware of the disruption this causes and want to offer a sincere apology to all those impacted, particularly the island communities patiently waiting for the vessel to enter service.
“Glen Rosa has been and will continue to be a complex project, but the team and I are fully committed to doing everything we can to bring forward delivery, being as transparent as possible about where we are in the process.
“While these setbacks have confirmed historic systemic issues within our operations, they do not define our future. We are embarking on an ambitious modernisation journey that will transform Ferguson Marine whilst we work extremely hard to deliver a Clydebuilt vessel that showcases our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality.”
Ferguson Marine attributes some of the challenges encountered during the build of MV Glen Rosa to several areas impacting its operations that require improvement. The shipyard has already put measures in place to tackle these issues and enhance operational efficiency, including upgrading equipment, refining processes and addressing the impacts of underinvestment.
Since joining the business in May, Graeme Thomson has made progress towards increasing transparency, collaboration and delivery. Ferguson Marine has recruited strategically to address capability gaps, develop the organisational structure and overhaul the planning and delivery functions instilling rigorous risk and governance and improved reporting functions as well as focusing on skills development in key areas. It also continues to actively seek new contracts to support a sustainable, long-term future for the shipyard.
