The ferry fiasco continues as the Glen Rosa faces yet another delay and a significant rise in costs. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was put on the spot, questioned about the reasons behind the “new farce” surrounding the ferry project. Originally scheduled to start operating in September, the state-owned Ferguson Marine now admits that the vessel won’t be fully signed off and delivered until the summer of next year, somewhere between April and July. The total forecast costs have shot up by £22.5m, with an additional ‘risk contingency’ of £12.5m.
Historic failures in project planning, poor sequencing of work, and a lack of focus during the delivery of the sister vessel, MV Glen Sannox, have been identified as the root causes of the revised delivery date and cost increases. Kate Forbes expressed her frustration, calling the situation “wholly unacceptable” and emphasizing the need for urgency, discipline, and full accountability in the delivery process. She has implemented rigorous oversight to ensure that the yard is held accountable for these issues, with a small review team in place to scrutinize the delivery plan in detail.
Despite completing a revised build plan, the Glen Rosa project faces mounting concerns over rising costs and prolonged delays. The two LNG dual-fuel ships, Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox, were initially set to be operational within the first seven months of 2018 to serve Arran. However, the project has been plagued by setbacks, with both vessels experiencing delays of several years and cost overruns that are expected to quadruple the original contract amount. The nationalization of Ferguson Marine in 2019 added another layer of complexity to the already troubled project, with blame being passed between the yard’s management and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.
As the saga of the Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox drags on, questions loom over the lack of ministerial resignations in the Scottish Government. Kate Forbes defended her position, stating that she has been actively holding the board accountable and setting clear expectations for the yard’s leadership. The decision to prioritize the completion of Glen Sannox over Glen Rosa in 2024 has been cited as a contributing factor to the latest delay, raising concerns about the handling of the project. The Scottish Conservative shadow transport secretary called for transparency and accountability, highlighting the frustrations of islanders caught in the midst of this ongoing debacle.
