Banner first told of LNG problem in May

Widespread reports on the television and in the national press last weekend that the new Arran ferry will initially only operate on diesel - despite being built to also run with liquefied natural gas (LNG) - will have come as no surprise to Banner readers.

 

We first reported in May there was likely to  be a two-year delay before the MV Glen Sannox would be able to operate using LNG. This was confirmed a month ago by David Tydeman, chief executive of Ferguson Marine, in a letter to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and reported in the Banner then - the same report finally picked up by the national press.

 

A 'technical issue' which relates to delays in the supply of sensors needed for the LNG fuel system is the cause.

 

Mr Tydeman told MSPs: 'Our emerging proposal to deal with this is to maintain the programme for handover of the ship by the end of May at the latest, initially running only with the diesel, single fuel system.

 

'The LNG system will be essentially complete on the ship by this time, hence we believe we can install the sensors later whilst the vessel is in service next summer.'

 

Advocates of LNG argue it is less harmful to the environment than traditional marine fuels such as oil or diesel. However, this does not take into account greenhouse emissions during extraction and transport of the gas.

 

A CMAL spokesperson said: 'It is disappointing there will be a delay to the commissioning of LNG on Glen Sannox, however, it is still our intention to commission the LNG tanks for MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802.'

 

A Scottish government spokesman said it had been informed of the LNG issue.

 

He added: 'Ministers are seeking urgent options on the next steps and expect all possible measures to be taken to deliver the vessel to serve islanders as soon as possible.'

 

 

A ragout of the story the Banner carried in May. 01_B44ragout01