A massively delayed ferry built in Scotland to serve CalMac, the MV Glen Sannox had carried out first sea trials which have been hailed as "overwhelmingly positive" by shipbuilder Ferguson Marine following four days of tests on the Firth of Clyde.
The chief executive of the Port Glasgow shipyard, David Tydeman, said on Friday, that the results of the trials, in which the 102m long vessel moved under its own power for the first time, "clearly demonstrated the advanced technology it will bring to the CalMac fleet".
With the result of the sea trails, the declaration is likely to come as a huge relief to Scottish Government ministers of the nationalised shipyard, who have expressed increasing frustration with the Ferguson ferry fiasco contract. This has led to costs of more than tripling, from the original £97 million for both the leadship ferry and twin MV Glen Rosa which are running six years late, as they were due to enter service in 2018.
There are however fears that remain at Ferguson Marine as the shipyard’s latest review of the ferry project could see the twins be delayed yet further.
When Glen Sannox eventually enters service for CalMac, the newbuild will be the west coast operator’s second largest with space for more than 850 passengers and 127 cars.
During the sea-trails, Glen Sannox sailed from Port Glasgow as far as the Isles of Bute and Largs in the lower Clyde, where it reached its maximum “speed over ground” of 16.7 knots (19.2mph).
As for Glen Rosa, this newbuild is due to be launched in April but will not be completed until next year.
Glen Sannox will also require further work before its scheduled completion in late May. The ferry will undergo two months of testing by CalMac before being due to go into service on the main route to Brodick on Arran in late July or early August.
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