MV Glen Rosa has been towed downriver to Inchgreen Marine Park, where the remaining work will be carried out as the new CalMac ferry nears completion. The vessel left the nationalised Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow for what is expected to be the final time, with final fitting out and commissioning now due to take place at the quayside in Greenock.
The ferry was originally due for delivery in 2018, but design challenges and disputes over claims for extra costs led to repeated delays for Glen Rosa and its sister vessel, MV Glen Sannox. Its departure means the Port Glasgow site now has no ships under construction for the first time in 12 years, although Ferguson Marine says it plans to modernise the yard in preparation for promised new orders.
The GMB union welcomed the ship’s departure, but said it made it even more pressing for Scottish ministers to deliver on a pre-election pledge to directly award contracts for four new vessels. Those include two small CalMac ferries, a fisheries research ship and a marine protection vessel.
Glen Rosa is expected to be handed over to the Scottish government’s ferries body, CMAL, by the end of the year. Specialist sub-contractors will complete much of the remaining work, including commissioning the liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system on the dual fuel ship before sea trials begin this autumn.
Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) chief executive Graeme Thomson said:
“Moving MV Glen Rosa to Inchgreen Marine Park allows us to achieve two vital strategic goals over the same time period: one focused on delivering MV Glen Rosa as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the other on preparing the yard for essential modernisation works.”
The modernisation plan will use some of the £14.2m of investment promised by Scottish ministers more than two years ago. The yard hopes to buy a semi-automated plating line, new cutting equipment and digital management systems to improve productivity.
Thomson said:
“We have already undertaken modest operational upgrades over the past six months and we look forward to starting further projects that will transform Ferguson Marine into a digitally enabled shipbuilding facility,” Thomson said.
“This will make us more competitive, putting us in a robust position to win future work, solidifying the future of the yard and shipbuilding in Inverclyde.”
MV Glen Rosa was launched from the Ferguson slipway in April 2024.
The GMB, the biggest union at Ferguson Marine, said the Scottish government should quickly deliver its promise of four directly awarded vessel contracts if the yard is to secure a future. Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said:
“The skilled workers of Ferguson's must be allowed to turn the page and begin restoring a worldwide reputation for excellence.”
“Shipbuilders need ships to build and the need for the contracts promised by Scottish ministers before the election is now beyond urgent.”
“The yard can secure a future as one of Scotland's most important industrial assets but further delay in delivering this promised work risks the loss of skills, experience and morale.”
What did the Scottish government say about the move?
The Scottish government said Glen Rosa’s move to Inchgreen was a
“welcome next step”in delivering the vessel to island communities. A spokesperson said the government was working at pace on the due diligence, legal, commercial and subsidy control assessments needed to support proposals to directly award four new vessel contracts to Ferguson Marine.
The spokesperson said:
“We are working at pace to progress the necessary due diligence, legal, commercial and subsidy control assessments required to support the proposals to directly award four new vessel contracts to Ferguson Marine.”
“We are working closely and constructively with Ferguson Marine while we undertake this work.”
“The upcoming period of work to modernise the yard while the Glen Rosa is off site has no impact on the timelines for this. We will keep Parliament updated on progress.”
Ferguson Marine currently employs 285 staff, including 34 apprentices. The firm, established in 1903, is the last commercial shipbuilder on the River Clyde and the only one on the lower stretches of the river, with the two BAE yards in Glasgow focused on naval shipbuilding.
Key Facts
- MV Glen Rosa was towed from Ferguson’s Port Glasgow yard to Inchgreen Marine Park in Greenock.
- The ferry was originally due for delivery in 2018 and is expected to be handed over to CMAL by the end of the year.
- Glen Rosa and sister ship MV Glen Sannox were delayed by design challenges and extra-cost disputes.
- Ferguson Marine says the move allows it to complete the ferry while modernising the yard.
- The yard employs 285 staff, including 34 apprentices.
