THE MV Glen Sannox ferry has been formally delivered to operator CalMac, seven years after it was officially launched.
The much-delayed ferry will now undergo more than six weeks of checks ahead of it entering service.
CalMac said it anticipated the vessel will serve the Arran route between Ardrossan on the mainland and Brodick as soon as January 2025.
It comes after it was announced this week that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyd’s Register had signed off on the safety of the ferry to carry passengers.
The announcement brings one of the longest running political issues in Scotland one step closer to being over.
In 2019, the yard was saved from administration by the Government, laying bare the issues facing the Glen Sannox and its sister ship the Glen Rosa.
Initially planned to cost around £97 million and be delivered in 2018, the cost is now expected to be around four times higher.
The Glen Sannox is the first vessel in the UK to have a dual-fuel propulsion system which can use both conventional marine gas oil (MGO), similar to diesel, or liquefied natural gas (LNG).
John Petticrew, interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine, said it was a proud occasion for everyone at the company.
“Today is a day to look forward. Glen Sannox is a fine vessel, well capable of providing decades of service for islanders and visitors. However, there is no doubt it’s been a long haul getting to this point, and we sympathise with ferry users who have waited so long to see this day," he said.
"Looking to the future, our ability to adapt, learn from, and successfully overcome considerable challenges demonstrates the resilience and skills of our workforce, and will provide huge value as we tender for future contracts.” Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This is an important milestone for Ferguson Marine as it delivers the first LNG dual-fuel ferry to be built in the UK.
"The Glen Sannox will provide resilience to the fleet delivering vital lifeline services to islanders and I am encouraged that the Scottish Government’s wider programme to procure six new ferries by 2026 has taken another major step forward.”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive officer at CMAL, added: "I’m sure many people will join us in celebrating this milestone today. It has been a long time coming, but we have now taken ownership of the MV Glen Sannox, and are just weeks away from her entering service.
"This is the first of six major vessels being replaced in our fleet, with the other five well underway. We are working hard to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet and infrastructure, on behalf of communities across Scotland."
