The long-awaited CalMac vessel has now completed sea trials and will sail from Troon harbour to Brodick early on Monday morning, January 13.
Hopes are high that the ferry will lead to a vast improvement on the service to Arran, which has been plagued by problems in recent years.
But the new ferry won’t be sailing from Ardrossan – the main port of choice for the island. The design of the new ship means it can’t berth at the North Ayrshire port until a major redevelopment is carried out.
And despite the Scottish Government agreeing to the harbour project back in 2018, rising costs led to a rethink back in November 2023.
ScotGov called in the project for a cost re-evaluation – and negotiations between their partners, including harbour owners Peel Ports and North Ayrshire Council, have yet to reach a conclusion.
So, in effect, even if the harbour redevelopment goes ahead, Ardrossan’s new ferry won’t be using the route for potentially years to come.
Instead, the Glen Sannox – and sister ship MV Glen Rosa, which has yet to enter service – will set sail from Troon, with a longer crossing time for island residents and visitors.
(Image: Alistair Forsyth) Here’s a timeline of the highs and lows of the project:
DECEMBER 2012
The Scottish Government ferry plan proposes two large duel-fuel vessels to be built, adapted to use the environmentally friendlier liquified natural gas (LNG).
AUGUST 2014
The struggling Ferguson Marine shipyard in Inverclyde goes into administration – just weeks before the Scottish Independence Referendum. First Minister Alex Salmond intervenes and persuades businessman Jim McColl to buy out the shipyard.
OCTOBER 2014
The start of the procurement process for the new LNG ferries is announced by Transport Minister Keith Brown. Six companies are invited to submit tenders.
AUGUST 2015
Ferguson Marine is announced as the preferred bidder for the £97 million contract as new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visits the yard.
OCTOBER 2015
The contracts are signed with Ferguson’s to construct vessels 801 (Glen Sannox) for delivery in May 2018 and 802 (Glen Rosa) for delivery in July 2018.
NOVEMBER 2017
The Glen Sannox is officially launched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. But the vessel is substantially incomplete, with windows simply painted on and the funnels not operational.
JULY 2018
Ferguson Marine claims £17.5m for additional costs, the Scottish Government’s Clyde Maritime Assets Ltd argues the claim was not valid, but the amount handed over was increased.
AUGUST 2018
New Transport Minister Michael Matheson says the Glen Sannox would now be delivered in June 2019, followed by two months of crew familiarisation and sea trials. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that the design of the new ferry meant it could not operate from Ardrossan unless a major harbour redevelopment was carried out.
AUGUST 2019
With still no sign of the Sannox entering service, Ferguson Marine falls into administration. The Scottish Government announces a nationalisation plan to take the company into public ownership.
DECEMBER 2019
The nationalisation is completed. But a report now revealed that Glen Sannox would be handed over in the last quarter of 2021, and that completing the two ferries was likely to increase the total cost to more than £207m.
MARCH 2020
The pandemic hits and Ferguson Marine was either closed or on restrictive working for six months.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Further delays and cost rises are confirmed. The ferries would now cost £340m in total.
SEPTEMBER 2023
The Glen Sannox fails a safety audit and further work is ordered. Sea trials are postponed until 2024.
FEBRUARY 2024
The sea trials finally begin.
JUNE 2024
A final delivery date of August 19 is announced. That would soon change…
NOVEMBER 2024
A CalMac ship’s master raises a red ensign to mark the handover.
The Glen Sannox is formally handed over to CMAL, with it due to enter service in January 2025.
JANUARY 2025
Passenger trials for the vessel are cancelled due to ‘small outstanding issues’ but CalMac insists the Glen Sannox will make its first sailing from Troon to Brodick on Monday, January 13. Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney apologises to Arran residents for the long delay in the ship entering service.