MV Glen Rosa delivery pushed back by another six months

The second Ferguson Marine ferry, MV Glen Rosa, has been delayed by at least six months, adding to years of setbacks for the nationalised shipyard.

CalMac is now targeting handover in Q4 2026, pushing the timetable back by up to six months from the previously expected Q2 2026 date.

The Scottish Government-owned yard announced in May that delivery of the 850-passenger ferry, due seven years ago, would be postponed from September until between April and June next year.

The estimated cost also increased from £150m to £185m.

Both ferries built to serve Arran, including the already launched Glen Sannox, were initially scheduled for 2018, but have faced repeated delays.

The revised schedule follows issues identified during the vessel’s first dry dock in August 2025, when inspections revealed corrosion in the stern tubes and deterioration of the hull coating.

Addressing the defects will require additional remedial work during a prolonged second dry dock, with the earliest available slot not until later in 2026.

In a statement, Ferguson Marine chief executive Graeme Thomson apologised for the latest setback, acknowledging the impact on island communities awaiting the long-delayed ferry.

“We deeply regret having to announce a further delay in the delivery of Glen Rosa,” he said. “I am acutely aware of the disruption this causes and want to offer a sincere apology to all those impacted, particularly the island communities patiently waiting for the vessel to enter service.”

Mr Thomson said MV Glen Rosa remained a complex project, but insisted the yard was committed to transparency and to doing everything possible to bring the delivery date forward.

“While these setbacks have confirmed historic systemic issues within our operations, they do not define our future,” he added.

“We are embarking on an ambitious modernisation journey that will transform Ferguson Marine whilst we work extremely hard to deliver a Clydebuilt vessel that showcases our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality.”