Ferguson Marine Delays CalMac Ferries Until 2026 Amid Cost Overruns

The MV Glen Rosa, a dual-fuel ferry built by Scottish shipbuilder Ferguson Marine, has been delayed until at least April 2026, marking nearly eight years behind its original 2018 delivery schedule. The ferry's cost has risen dramatically, now estimated at over £460 million for both Glen Rosa and its sister ship Glen Sannox, more than four times the original £97 million contract price. The delays and cost overruns have drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians, who blame the Scottish Government and highlight issues such as the ferries not fitting preferred ports and a significant rise in cancellations on the aging CalMac fleet. Ferguson Marine's new CEO, Graeme Thomson, apologized for the setbacks and emphasized the company's commitment to delivering a quality vessel that will benefit island communities. The Glen Rosa remains unfinished partly due to resources being diverted to complete Glen Sannox, which itself faced technical problems after its delayed delivery. Despite these challenges, the Scottish Government insists on focusing efforts to ensure both ferries join service as soon as possible to support reliable transport links for the affected island populations.