MV Glen Sannox begins sea trials amid fresh delay warning

The Glen Sannox, one of two ships being built by Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow and destined for service on the Arran route, was scheduled to be launched next month, but this has been delayed until the end of May - at the earliest.

The new hold-up has been blamed on a supplier delay around specialist pipework for the liquefied natural gas system which will be used on the dual-fuel ferry.

In an update to MSPs, a Ferguson Marine spokesperson said the pipework arrived on site in January and the installation will be finished by mid-March - but that 10 weeks of commissioning and testing will be required before it can be approved for use.

Chief executive David Tydeman also warned of possible further delays and cost overruns which could see the cost of the two ferries go beyond £360 million - almost £250 million more than their original price tag.

Mr Tydeman said: “The first round of sea trials for MV Glen Sannox will be focussed on testing the principal machinery on board. In preparation, as long as waters are relatively calm, some testing will take place at the yard’s quayside between February 7 and 12.

“From February 13, again if the weather is favourable, she will make her first trip under her own propulsion - but with a tug attached for safety - to the quayside at the Inchgreen dry dock in Greenock. If all goes well, on Wednesday and Thursday, the people of Inverclyde should be able to spot her making longer trips up and down the river as far as Gourock.