Delayed CalMac ferry MV Glen Sannox returns to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow shipyard after 'essential works'

Delayed CalMac ferry the MV Glen Sannox returned to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) shipyard on Tuesday, following a two week stint at a dry dock in Greenock where it was undergoing work.

The vessel – one of two dual-fuel ferries being built at FMPG has spent three weeks at Dales Marine for essential works on its propulsion systems, seals and bow doors.

The MV Glen Sannox is one of two vessels due to be completed at Ferguson Marine shipyard by 2018, but has since been pushed back to 2023.

The boat is due to enter service between March and May next year.

David Tydeman, chief executive at FMPG, said: “This is another sign of progress towards delivering MV Glen Sannox.

“She is now prepared for the next stage of the commissioning programme at the yard, as well as ongoing work on the outfitting programme to complete internal accommodation.

“The vessel made a striking image as she moved up the Clyde, back to the shipyard.

“There is a real sense of pride and optimism among the workforce as they can now see the ship they have worked hard for approaching delivery between March and May 2023.”

The next key milestone for MV Glen Sannox is the testing of main engines and generators, scheduled for this autumn.

MV Glen Sannox’s sister vessel, Hull 802 is expected to be delivered between October and December 2023.

Construction of the ferries has been plagued by setbacks since first being ordered in 2015.

They are now four years late and estimated to cost at least £240m – around £97m over budget.

The ferries have also been at the centre of a political storm, with the yard having been taken over by the Scottish Government in 2019.

In March, Audit Scotland concluded there had been a “multitude of failings” in the delivery of the two vessels and that there were “significant operational failures” still needing to be resolved.