The Glen Sannox Saga: CalMac’s Newest Vessel Finally Approved!
Prepare yourself, folks, because we’re diving deep into the world of shipbuilding — yes, I said shipbuilding! The CalMac ferry, MV Glen Sannox, is about to set sail into the pages of maritime history. Spoiler alert: it’s been a bumpy ride!
The Long-Awaited Approval
After what feels like a ten-year game of shipbuilder’s Twister, the Glen Sannox has finally received the green light from those lovely people at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Lloyds Register. Yes, the same folks who make sure your life jacket won’t double as a floaty pool toy if you accidentally plunge into the drink!
In January, this dual-fuel beauty is expected to welcome its first passengers as it glides – yes, glides – towards Arran. But, hold your horses! CalMac still has a “few weeks” of crew familiarisation trials before it officially joins the fleet. They’ll have to be qualified to handle this vessel better than I can handle my morning coffee!
A History of Ups and Downs
Now, let’s talk about the drama behind the scenes. The ship was originally slated for delivery back in May 2018. And you thought your last renovation project took too long! Design struggles and cost disputes ran rampant, turning this ship into the Titanic of cost overruns. Originally set at a budget of £97 million, we’re now eyeing a final tally that could top a staggering £400 million. I mean, who needs the lottery when you’ve got shipbuilding fiascos?
John Petticrew, the interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine, gave a little pep talk in a letter to the MSPs, sounding as though he’s just wrestled a bear and survived! He didn’t just announce the news; he practically threw confetti and tweeted it out like he just won a trophy in the “World’s Best Ship Builder” competition.
Shipping Woes: A Comedy of Errors
So, what went wrong, you ask? Well, it’s like a classic sitcom plot. The contracts for Glen Sannox and its sibling, Glen Rosa, were signed back in 2015. However, it wasn’t long before the shipyard found itself knee-deep in a morass of poorly defined specifications and – hold onto your hats – accusations of catastrophic failures flying faster than one-liners at a comedy club!
CMAL (the government-owned entity that procures ships) blamed the contractor while the shipyard pointed a finger right back, claiming government interference was the mischief-maker. It’s a wonder they didn’t just step outside for a duel over it!
In the end, Ferguson Marine got nationalised, leaving shipbuilding aficionados scratching their heads while the bill ballooned from a (relatively) paltry £97 million to a whopping £400 million. That’s right, each bolt basically came with a complimentary yacht!
A Little Hope for CalMac
Now, I can hear some of you already: “But what about the other ferry, Glen Rosa?” Fear not! It seems to be sailing along a little smoother. Scheduled to be delivered next September, Glen Rosa is proving to be the reliable sibling everyone hoped for — essentially the teenage daughter who actually did her homework. We can only hope it doesn’t try to paint itself in wild colours when it arrives!
Glen Sannox, on the other hand, is set to be the first new large vessel added to the CalMac fleet since 2015. That’s a long wait — nearly as long as the average time it takes me to finish a Netflix series!
What Lies Ahead
As the winter timetable looms over CalMac, they’re battling to keep services afloat. With the 39-year-old MV Hebridean Isles officially retired and the MV Caledonian Isles not expected back until March, they may very well have to draft in the “Auld Trooper,” the 41-year-old MV Isle of Arran, to keep things ticking. Ah, the joys of aging maritime equipment!
So as we look ahead to this new ferry’s maiden voyage, let’s raise a glass (of something strong, perhaps?) to Glen Sannox. May it navigate the murky waters of red tape and return to us with plenty of tales to tell, preferably without adding any more years to its build time!
Stephen Lipton
The newly constructed CalMac ferry, MV Glen Sannox, has received official approval to carry passengers, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Lloyds Register have issued the final regulatory certificates necessary for the ship’s operation, confirming its compliance with safety standards, the shipyard confirmed.
A formal handover of the vessel is imminent, however, CalMac will need several weeks for crew familiarization trials to adequately prepare before the ship begins its service on the route to Arran.
Originally scheduled for delivery in May 2018, the dual-fuel vessel has faced numerous challenges during its construction, including design issues and disputes over rising costs that have delayed its completion.
In a recent communication with the Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine, John Petticrew, shared the latest progress updates on the ferry project.
In his letter, he expressed enthusiasm: “We are delighted to share that MV Glen Sannox has now obtained full regulatory approval, including its passenger certification.”
He further noted that “subject to the completion of the required legal and contractual processes, the vessel will be officially transferred to its new owners, CMAL.”
After the transfer, CalMac will take control of the vessel and require an estimated six-and-a-half weeks to complete operational readiness and conduct annual recertification processes.
Notably, Glen Sannox holds the distinction of being the second largest vessel built for CalMac and the first-ever UK-built ferry capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
PA Media
In 2015, the contracts for the vessels Glen Sannox and her sister ship, Glen Rosa, were awarded during a pivotal moment for Ferguson’s shipyard, which had been saved from administration just a year earlier by businessman Jim McColl.
However, the project soon encountered various issues, with the yard’s new management attributing the problems to an inadequately developed ship specification and interference from CMAL, the government company responsible for procuring vessels for CalMac.
CMAL contested these claims, asserting that catastrophic failures attributed mainly to the contractor’s mistakes were responsible for the ongoing setbacks.
The resultant impasse over claims for escalating costs ultimately led to the collapse of the firm, subsequent nationalization, and further delays and increased expenses for the project.
Initially, the contract price for both ships was set at £97 million; however, the total expenses have spiraled, now anticipated to surpass £400 million, with Glen Sannox delivered more than six years later than planned.
In contrast, the construction of Glen Rosa is progressing more smoothly, and it is projected to be delivered by next September, a hopeful sign following the challenges faced by its predecessor.
Stephen Lipton
Glen Sannox has demonstrated strong performance during recent sea trials, despite revealing several issues that require attention before final regulatory approval is granted.
Upon delivery, this ship will mark the first addition of a new large vessel to the CalMac fleet in over eight years, a much-anticipated development for ferry services.
CalMac is currently grappling with winter timetable challenges, particularly as one of its key vessels, the MV Caledonian Isles, may be out of action until March.
The aging MV Hebridean Isles, a 39-year-old vessel, was retired recently due to expiring regulatory certificates, making its continued operation unsustainable.
Meanwhile, the service to Arran is presently being maintained by the 41-year-old MV Isle of Arran, affectionately dubbed the “Auld Trooper,” alongside a chartered catamaran to serve passenger needs.
How is the Scottish Government addressing transparency and accountability in the ferry project funding?
News/1536/cpsprodpb/38ed/live/6d544510-a692-11ef-a4fe-a3e9a6c5d640.jpg.webp 1536w” src=”https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/38ed/live/6d544510-a692-11ef-a4fe-a3e9a6c5d640.jpg.webp” alt=”Image related to the construction of the ferry at Ferguson Marine” class=”sc-a34861b-0 efFcac”/>
PA Media
