BOSSES at Ferguson Marine say they will hold a week-long exercise to discuss ‘lessons learned’ from the construction of the six-year-late MV Glen Sannox after its scheduled handover next month.

The first of the two overdue and overbudget vessels the shipyard has been constructing for Caledonian MacBrayne will begin its final set of sea trials on Monday, September 30.

And in an update issued today, the yard’s interim CEO John Petticrew says the final costs for both the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa are not currently expected to increase further.

READ MORE: Deputy First Minister faces questions on oversight of Ferguson Marine

Mr Petticrew's update to the Scottish Parliament's net zero, energy and transport committee reveals that key officials from Ferguson's, CalMac and procurement body CMAL will all take part in the 'lessons learned' exercise.

 

The latest news comes after a hitch with the vessel's LNG fuel system forced the yard to push the previous September 30 handover date back by two weeks.

 

The yard has since successfully bunkered Glen Sannox’s LNG fuel on board the vessel twice, and the ferry has completed a three-day programme of LNG sea trials.

The bunkering of the LNG was the first operation of its kind carried out in the UK.

In his latest update, Mr Petticrew says all of Ferguson Marine’s efforts are now focused on Glen Sannox’s upcoming harbour trials and on 'owner acceptance trials' on September 30.

After the trials are completed, the yard will have to complete a number of tasks before handover to CMAL.

These include a review of findings from the sea trials, a demonstration of the engine overhaul carried out on the vessel, final sign-off on all of its components and approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and marine firm Lloyds Register.

On Glen Rosa, Mr Petticrew states: “Glen Rosa is progressing, however it must be noted that there has been an impact on the programme, with some key personnel being utilised on Glen Sannox to ensure her delivery.

“A different build strategy is being put in place to ensure a much more robust plan. Whilst challenging, this plan can be achieved by implementing fully all of the lessons learned from the build of Glen Sannox.

“There will be additional workforce shift patterns added to assist with schedule compliance, and to deliver to the previously advised date of end September 2025.”

He continued: “As before, we can assure you that all parties are striving and doing everything possible to firstly deliver Glen Sannox in the time frame noted in our last interim letter and then focus on the scheduled delivery of the Glen Rosa.”