CalMac delivery faces short delay but latest costs still on track

The two ferries were originally due for delivery in 2018 but have faced repeated design challenges and cost overruns.

Both are destined for CalMac’s busy Arran route.

The latest update comes just three days after Economy Secretary Kate Forbes told the Scottish Parliament she was unaware of any new delays.

She said the news was disappointing but that she was encouraged that all sides were working together to deliver the ships as soon as possible.

CalMac said it may be able to absorb the delay into its own plans for eight weeks of crew familiarisation trials, so that the ship could still enter service in September.

The latest estimated cost to complete the two ships remains at just under £300m, on top of £83m that was paid out before the firm was nationalised and £45m of government loans that were largely written off.

In his regular monthly progress update, external to MSPs, Mr Petticrew wrote: “The LNG system has been well-documented as the biggest challenge we were facing since our last report.

“It has proved even more difficult and has impacted the progress in other areas, namely the engine compartments.”

Mr Petticrew listed a number of remaining challenges, which include acceptance trials and sign-off by safety regulator the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The second ship, Glen Rosa, was launched from the slipway earlier this year and fitting out work is expected to be complete by September 2025.