A DATE has been set for the maiden sailing of the MV Glen Sannox, the first ferry ever built in the UK which is capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The ship, which is one of two from the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard to be hit by major delays and costs increases, will have its first sailing on January 13.
CalMac said that the date had been confirmed following the conclusion of an in-water service on Thursday, December 19.
The vessel will bring additional capacity to Arran, the busiest route on the CalMac network. It will operate from Troon to Brodick.
The Glen Sannox and its sister ship the Glen Rosa, were initially scheduled for delivery in 2018 at a cost of £97 million. However, total expenses now reportedly exceed £380m.
Duncan Mackison, CalMac’s chief executive, said: “The feedback from our crew has been that the vessel is performing well, and there is real excitement across CalMac about getting her into service and serving Arran.”
CalMac also confirmed MV Caledonian Isles, which operates Ardrossan to Brodick, remains on-track to return to service in time for the next summer timetable starting on March 28, 2025.
The vessel will re-enter drydock on Friday for several weeks of steel renewal works. Following these, realignment work and sea trials will take place.
Mackison added: “There has been understandable concern about the future of MV Caledonian Isles but her future prognosis is good, and we are increasingly confident she will return to serve Arran in time for our busy summer period.
“The arrival of MV Glen Sannox and return of MV Caledonian Isles is great news for the Arran community and will see the island benefit from increased capacity and eight return sailings a day from two mainland ports from the summer.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The entry into service of the MV Glen Sannox is very welcome news, as this new vessel will support the people of Arran and wider ferry network.
“She will deliver increased capacity on the busiest route on the Clyde and Hebrides network, and we can all now look forward to her bringing benefits to our island communities and ferry users.
“The MV Glen Sannox is the first of six new major vessels set to serve Scotland’s ferry network, starting in early 2025, underlining the Scottish Government’s commitment to investing in our fleet and delivering the resilient services that our island communities need and deserve. I look forward to sailing on the MV Glen Sannox in the future.”
The news comes amid reports that the four ferries being built in Turkey have been hit with delays.
The vessels were due to be delivered in February 2025, but will now not arrive before the end of March, the Scotsman reported.
