Ferguson Marine has announced a further delay to the delivery of the ferry MV Glen Rosa, with the vessel now expected to be fully signed off and handed over in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The revised timetable was set out in a formal update submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee as part of the shipyard’s regular quarterly reporting. The new schedule replaces earlier delivery expectations and reflects additional remedial work identified during recent inspections.
Image credit Joe Catherine Duffy.
According to Ferguson Marine, issues were discovered during Glen Rosa’s first dry-docking in August 2025, including corrosion in the vessel’s stern tubes and deterioration of the hull coating. Addressing these problems will require an extended period in dry dock, with the earliest suitable slot now falling later in 2026.
The yard said this has directly driven the revised delivery date.
Graeme Thomson, chief executive of Ferguson Marine, said the announcement was not taken lightly. “We deeply regret having to announce a further delay in the delivery of Glen Rosa. I am acutely aware of the disruption this causes and want to offer a sincere apology to all those impacted, particularly the island communities patiently waiting for the vessel to enter service.”
He added that the project remains challenging. “Glen Rosa has been and will continue to be a complex project, but the team and I are fully committed to doing everything we can to bring forward delivery and being as transparent as possible about where we are in the process.”
Thomson also acknowledged deeper issues within the organisation. “While these setbacks have confirmed historic systemic issues within our operations, they do not define our future. We are embarking on an ambitious modernisation journey that will transform Ferguson Marine whilst we work extremely hard to deliver a Clydebuilt vessel that showcases our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality.”
Ferguson Marine said some of the challenges encountered on Glen Rosa stem from long-standing operational weaknesses, including underinvestment, equipment limitations and process inefficiencies. The yard stated that measures are already being implemented to address these areas, including upgrading equipment, refining production processes and strengthening planning and delivery functions.
Since joining the business in May, Thomson has overseen changes aimed at improving governance, reporting and organisational capability. The company said it has recruited to address key skills gaps, restructured elements of the business and continues to seek new contracts to support the long-term sustainability of the yard.
Ferguson Marine, based in Port Glasgow and wholly owned by Scottish Ministers since 2019, said its immediate focus remains the completion of Glen Rosa alongside efforts to secure additional work beyond the vessel’s delivery.
