Ferguson Marine Faces New Setback with CalMac Ferry Glen Rosa
The construction of the CalMac ferry Glen Rosa has hit a new roadblock, according to reports. The vessel, which is being built by Ferguson Marine, suffered a setback when it was flooded by heavy rain on the Clyde two weeks ago. The incident has been confirmed by the company, which stated that the water ingress was due to a loose tarpaulin and that there are no long-term consequences.
The Glen Rosa is one of two new ferries being built for CalMac, the other being the MV Loch Shira, which entered service between Troon and Arran in January this year. The Glen Rosa is due to be delivered “no earlier” than April 2026. According to The Times, the ship’s funnels were fitted purely for aesthetic purposes during its launch last year, but the vents later had to be removed to fit components, including engine parts.
The gap was not sealed after the removal of the funnel, which allowed water to flood into the ship during the heavy rainfall. Ferguson Marine has stated that the issue was identified quickly, and immediate action was taken to resolve it. The affected area has been dried out and thoroughly inspected, with no damage or lasting impact identified. The incident has not resulted in any further issues or project delays, and construction work continues to progress.
The total cost of the two ferries is now around £400million, well in excess of the £97m specified in the contract. The delay and cost overrun have sparked criticism from politicians. Claire Baker, the Scottish Labour transport spokeswoman, told The Times: “This is yet another embarrassing mishap in the SNP’s seemingly endless ferry fiasco. The workers at this yard have been let down time and time again by the chaos created by those at the top, including the SNP government.”
Sue Webber, the Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for transport, also criticised the handling of the project, stating: “There seems to be no end to the mishaps afflicting the Glen Rosa. This latest fiasco with its funnels should have been easily avoided.” Hugh McKenzie, General Manager of Operations at Ferguson Marine, defended the company’s handling of the incident, stating: “During a period of heavy rainfall at the end of last month, a tarpaulin cover came loose and the MV Glen Rosa experienced some internal water ingress.”
The company has assured that the issue has been resolved and that construction work is continuing as planned. However, the incident has raised concerns about the project’s timeline and budget. As reported by Herald Scotland, the Glen Rosa’s delivery date remains uncertain, with a projected completion date of April 2026.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment on the incident. The Herald Scotland has contacted Ferguson Marine for further information but has been referred to the company’s previous statement. The project continues to be closely watched by industry stakeholders and politicians, who are eager to see the new ferries enter service.
This latest development serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in constructing large-scale vessels. As Herald Scotland previously reported, the construction of the Glen Rosa and its sister ship has been plagued by delays and cost overruns.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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