In what is clearly a joke, ferry MV Glen Sannox, one of two being built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard, has set it’s destination as a scrapyard in India.
Someone onboard the ferry MV Glen Sannox has, apparently, set it’s destination as Alang in India. For those unaware, Alang is famous for its shipbreaking yards, where more than 1500 ships per year are dismantled and recycled.
This is being broadcast by the onboard AIS. What is AIS? The automatic identification system, or AIS, transmits a ship’s position, speed, destination and other data so that other ships are aware of its position. The International Maritime Organisation’s International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requires AIS to be fitted aboard all passenger ships regardless of size.
Ferguson Marine confirmed to me that the vessel isn’t being scrapped, which I hope should be obvious to those of you reading this article.
“Glen Sannox is being readied to go to dry dock later this month for the final stages of her fit out prior to sea trials and handover to the Scottish Government and CalMac.”
https://twitter.com/geoallison/status/1734450379411116383?t=t4ryuXautrWFsNH2-eE8Dw&s=19
And an update, after I spoke to Ferguson Marine, the destination was restored.
The MV Glen Sannox, moored upon the Clyde, bears the semblance of readiness, with her exterior suggesting near completion. However, her outward readiness belies the extensive internal work that remains, particularly in the wake of a failed safety audit by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in September 2023.
The MCA’s insistence on additional staircases for safety certification precipitated a delay, pushing the sea trials of Glen Sannox to the first quarter of 2024.
Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray recently articulated the MCA’s integral role in the early phases of vessel delivery, particularly for those of pioneering design. The process of certification has been one of partnership and refinement, with the MCA’s input leading to vital design modifications that, whilst introducing delays and additional costs, are essential for the vessel’s safety and compliance.
The result of these modifications has been a reduction in passenger capacity from the initial 1,000 to 852, a necessary concession to meet the MCA’s stringent safety standards. In March 2023, it was reported that further delays have pushed the vessel’s entry into service to Autumn of 2023; in August 2023, a further delay to the first quarter of 2024 was announced.
All that being said, the ship is progressing and it’s biggest issues are behind it.
Looking Ahead
The future of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd is under careful consideration, with plans to refine investment proposals while adhering to subsidy control rules and demonstrating value for money. The Scottish Government say it is committed to a sustainable future for the shipyard, balancing the interests of the workforce, local communities, and the broader Scottish economy.
David Tydeman, CEO of Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, expressed his hope to secure substantial work from the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigate programme, potentially utilising over half the yard’s capacity. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the future of the shipyard, Tydeman was confident about Royal Navy work supporting the yard during a recent Public Audit Committee meeting.
Additionally, he mentioned that the company is actively tracking opportunities in the market. “We have a small commercial team that is tracking the market and we have been putting in proposals to the patrol craft market,” Tydeman disclosed.
There are also ongoing discussions with operators in the wind farm market, providing potential long-term work. “The first of those ships could be built in 2027. That does not fill the immediate gap, but…that is a very significant opportunity for us in the future.”
Have the SNP sold it to raise funds for a fleet of Jaguars? Asking for a mate.
Could be more campervans. One for every gender. In the spirit of equality.
For “diplomatic” trips to Turkey and other warm countries of course. Via other places in the interest of low carbon policies 😅
They have a fleet of luxury limo’s for that job !
Those top of the range iPaces are very nice cars, just like the RV bought for the parents, I mean the Snaps campaign vehicle. As long as the campaign is driving to the south of France and spending 2 weeks on the riviera.
The corruption of the SNP is blatant, open and there for all to see.
#votelabour.
Corruption sadly is written through politicians like a stick of Blackpool Rock. We rank as the 16th most corrupt country on the planet. The SNP are the worst, with Tory a close second. Not voted for decades and no intention of. A country that prioritises illegals over its own veterans and elderly is in a sorry state.
It is profoundly Important to vote even if you vote for an independent, or a minor party that you believe in….at the very least turn up to the voting station and spoil your ballot paper ( a well know act of …your all shite). Not voting gives the political classes carte Blanche to do what the hell they..generations of our ancestors fought tooth and nail to give us universal suffrage ( and ironically although the root of the word suffrage has nothing to do with the world suffering…there was a lot of suffering to get to universal suffrage). Personally I… Read more »
Spot on!
Before you start referencing things, maybe double check what you’re reading.
In 2022 the UK ranked 18th in the Transparency CPI index; that’s 18th LEAST corrupt country, out of the 180.
What you meant to say of course was… Sadly, corruption is written through many politicians, like a stick of Blackpool rock.
The 900tonne block bow unit would be good work for the core workforce and apprentices , its bread and butter fabrication / welding work for any shipyard . Hopefully this work could be done inside the large fab shed in controlled conditions , similar to BAE. The old build methods used need to be binned and brought up to modern times otherwise it will not work and be profitable. Also the management / engineering team needs an overhaul with real experienced people brought in who know how to get things done on time and within budget , not just roll… Read more »
Anybody who places shipbuilding business with this failed yard needs their head tested. If MV Glen Sannox actually enters service I would not personally wish to travel on it; the ship is jinxed
I assume you saw my comment about replacing management and engineering with people who could make it viable , just ignore what’s been going on with the ferries and think about the yard as a facility building products that have been professionally tendered for , not like the current ferry shambles.
I expect that BAE will cherry pick the engineering staff that it wants, after which it’s an issue of market confidence. Realistically, who is going to place business with them? You would want quality engineers embedded on site with daily progress reviews, sign-offs etc – all of which would add to their costs
BAE are within 30 mins of FMEL, it would be very easy for them to have a couple of experienced people visit on a regular basis to monitor the actual build progress / quality and performance . Modern construction companies are using KPI , which are key performance indicators showing actual progress of the works , if so it’s easy to see where they are falling behind and actions required in to fix it , hence my comments to get in experienced management / engineers who know what they are doing , and pay them the going rates .Keep the… Read more »
The use of KPI’s – essentially tick sheets – is dependent on honesty by the shipyard. Given the history of appalling mistakes, errors and the disastrous project management cock-ups, the buyers would certainly want embedded marine engineering staff familiar with the design and with access to 3D CAD programs capable of identifying clashes.
BAE have such staff and they will be watching progress on the T31 frigate modules very carefully. And identifying good people to poach in due course
Santa Barbra systems who made the wonky Ajax hulls has ISO 9001/2000 quality systems , perhaps does not involve measurements !
Bae will do this along with loyds
It would seem from My Own Research into the Background of the Royal Navy Destroyer that My Mother’s Only/Solitary Brother Served AND Lost His Life Aboard during the Second World War in 1940s ~ Research My Mother Asked Me To Do, AS Time Permitted DURING HER SIXTIES ~ It would seem that the Destroyers’ Keel was Laid-down and the Ship Built at Barrow-in-Furness for the Brazilian Navy but, Due-to the Outbreak of Second World War 1939, the Being Completed Destroyer would seem to have been Commandeered by the Admiralty for the Purposes of War with the Royal Navy ~ AND… Read more »
Indeed. Have a nice day, your contribution to the discussion is appreciated
Indeed it Would Seem it Was Very Productive and Highly Informative. That Being the Case River Rha should Be Thanked.
😂😅😂🤣😅😆
Seems someone at the yard doesn’t have a high opinion of the ship 🙂
Hopefully they get some work in. the need for ferries and other ships is there. The yard supposedly has turned its self around.
Main thing it needs to work on is being able to compete competitively. Even being 20% more expensive is still a good deal compared to a foreign yard as it keeps money in the U.K. economy. Linking the yard up with colleges/universities would benefit the whole industry.
There are great opportunities here moving forward. Hopefully the people in power have the foresight to grasp it.
Agreed
Right so only when they walk around the ferry can the safety experts decide they need extra staircases? Do they not understand blueprints and design documents? Or has it simply taken so long to build that safety regs have changed a number of times since its designers worked on Titanic.
I think that is the case the regulations have changed in the 20,000 years since they started building the vessel. That and the blue prints were sent over on papyrus rolls and have since faded to dust with the passage of time.
Wouldn’t surprise me if BAE buy the yard in the future. Perfect little yard for smaller vessels when all the procurements for the border force cutters, patrol boats, research ships and even RN tugs go out. Allows them to bid without taking up room in the production line if the 26’s and 83’s.
Go in and keep the competent people and sack the rest.
So keep about 30 , sack around 450? Seems about right.
Unlikely as they have the old build sheds as well as the new frigate factory.
Why spend on another automated plate line when one of those can do both things?
Why run two management structures, canteens and all the rest of the activities that make a workplace function?
It will be the duplication of the lower and middle management that would skew the costs argument?
BAE will probably buy it to keep out the competition.
Very sad all of this. I do wish those in the work force who want the yard to prosper and continue, to be successful in their efforts. I am sure there is more than enough work for a yard that is dedicated to improve and learn from past mistakes.
A lot of smaller vessels are built in the Netherlands and elsewhere which could be built on the Clyde but all work must be top class including design.
At least the ship workers will all have a job – plenty of work local to them in a modern BAE yard – which is a big plus?
TBH I’m not sure why I want to work there given the Horlicks job on those ferries. Nobody in their right minds would given them a similar job to do…..
How not to procure large capital projects. If only MoD could do the same!
Very funny I thought. Will they find ‘who dunnit’?