A HALF-decade late Port Glasgow-built ferry at the centre of the £250m Scottish Government procurement fiasco has fired up an engine for the first time.

MV Glen Sannox had its diesel power unit successfully run for assessors from the vessel classification society, Lloyd's Register, at Ferguson's shipyard.

Ferguson's chief executive David Tydeman — who brought in a new working strategy following the departure of 'turnaround' boss Tim Hair — described the moment as a 'very reassuring milestone'.

Representatives from the government's vessel procurement quango CMAL also witnessed the first piece of major equipment to be run on the ship.

The yard said that 'all tests and systems performed as expected' on the emergency generator of the dual fuel diesel/liquefied natural gas ferry.

It is understood that the engine will be run periodically to ensure no changes in condition, while further commissioning work continues.

Mr Tydeman said: "We've started the first bit of rotating machinery. This is a very reassuring milestone.

"Our commissioning team has been doing a lot of maintenance work on all major equipment, supported by manufacturers, to prevent detrimental conditions during commissioning."

Ferguson's say that all major equipment for Glen Sannox and her sister, Hull 802 (engines, gear boxes, steering gear, thrusters and pumps) have been subject to a robust maintenance programme during storage.

This has included inspections from equipment manufacturers; new oil, filters and grease; and parts replaced, where necessary, the yard said.

MV Glen Sannox is scheduled to be delivered between March and May 2023, and Hull 802 between October and December 2023.