Environmentally Friendly Scots Fiasco Ferry Cannot Initially Run 'Green' Due to Fault

1st November 2022

The environmentally friendly ferry cannot initially run on a 'green' basis due to a new fault of the newbuild at the Clydeside shipyard above as seen in recent years. Credit: HeraldScotland-twitter

One of the Scottish ferries at the centre of a shipyard ferry fiasco could see it lose its green credentials following a new fault.

The Ferguson Marine shipyard which was nationalised in 2019, has confirmed that further issues with the first of two newbuild ferries, the MV Glen Sannox means it will not initially run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Instead the 102m ferry for the Ardrossan-Brodick (Isle of Arran) route will be operating on a diesel, single fuel system for at least the first nine months of its service on the Clyde.

Following this period, the twin funnel ferry may then have to be taken out of service to test its LNG system.

Graham Simpson, the Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister said: “This revelation just adds to the shambles around the building of this vessel which was supposed to be climate friendly."

Both Glen Sannox and the second newbuilding (Hull 802) were hailed as a step towards a greener future for Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Scotland's state owned ferry fleet, as they were to be the first ships built in the UK capable of running off LNG and marine gas oil.

The twin duel-fuel powered ferries were seen as significantly cleaner in addition they would help to reduce emissions levels to meet ambitious Scottish Government targets.

More the HeraldScotland reports on this development at the Port Glasgow shipyard.

Published in Shipyards

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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