The second of the much-delayed and over-budget CalMac ferries has been put back again, with its Scottish shipyard, Ferguson Marine, saying it will not now arrive until late next year.
It had been hoped that the 7,040-ton newbuild twin Glen Rosa would be delivered to Caledonian Maritime Assets and then chartered to the Scottish state-owned ferry operator CalMac in the second quarter of 2026. However, a deterioration of the 102.4 m hull coating and corrosion in the stern tubes was discovered on the dual-fuel-powered ferry during a period of drydocking in August.
This setback has led to the latest delay of the 852-passenger ferry destined to serve the Isle of Arran (Brodick) route across the southern Firth of Clyde, where the first twin, Glen Sannox, also beset by delays and cost overruns, finally entered service more than six years late in January.
According to the Port Glasgow-based yard, Inverclyde, another period for the Glen Rosa will be required in drydock, but the earliest available slot is “later in 2026.”
This delayed dry-docking will have a knock-on effect, as the necessary trials and crew familiarisation are also to take place prior to the Glen Rosa’s entering into service, but it could be 2027 before islanders are served by the new ferry, which will also handle 127 cars and 16 lorries.
The National newspaper has more on this latest delay.
