Troubled ferry finally sets sail from Port Glasgow

In light of recent developments, Ferguson Marine has been forthright about the possibility of further delays and financial overruns.

Chief Executive David Tydeman underscored the severity of the situation, noting, “The complexity of the build and the cutting-edge technology involved have inevitably led to challenges. We are now focused on the rigorous testing and commissioning phase to ensure the Glen Sannox can safely serve the Arran route. However, we must be prepared for the possibility of additional costs and delays, with the project’s budget potentially surpassing £360 million.”

Tydeman elaborated on the upcoming sea trials, essential for testing the vessel’s main machinery and operational readiness. Weather permitting, the ferry will undergo initial quayside testing in early February, setting the stage for her maiden journey under her own propulsion to the Inchgreen dry dock in Greenock.

This initial foray, cautiously undertaken with a safety tug, will lead to more ambitious testing along the river towards Gourock. These trials, scheduled from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th February 2024, will test the vessel’s capabilities and ensure its readiness for operational duties.

Below is an outline of what the ship will do during these trials:

• Tuesday: The Glen Sannox will start its sea trials in the Anchorages at Tail of the Bank, an area known for its suitability for such tests due to its protected waters and ample space for manoeuvring. This initial phase will likely focus on basic operational checks, including stability and anchor handling.
• Transit to Cloch Point: After completing the initial set of tests, the vessel will transit to Cloch Point. This leg of the journey will allow the crew to assess the ferry’s propulsion, steering, and navigational systems under more dynamic conditions.
• Operations South of Skelmorlie Bank to North of Great Cumbrae Island: In the days following the initial trials, the Glen Sannox will operate in the waters between the area south of Skelmorlie Bank and the north of Great Cumbrae Island in the Firth of Clyde. This segment of the sea trials is particularly important for testing the vessel’s performance in open water, including speed, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency under various conditions.
• Daily Return to Port Glasgow: At the end of each day’s testing, the Glen Sannox will return to berth in Port Glasgow. This routine not only ensures the safety and security of the vessel overnight but also allows for daily evaluations of the ship’s systems based on the day’s trials. Engineers and technicians will have the opportunity to analyse data, make adjustments, and prepare for the next day’s testing.

The defence link – why it’s important the yard does well

David Tydeman, CEO of Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, recently 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.

“We have been planning for some time,” he said, “and I am delighted that we were able to sign a framework agreement with BAE Systems.”

According to Tydeman, the agreement with BAE Systems would help address the workforce surplus at the Ferguson Marine yard as work on two ferries progressively winds down over the next 12 to 18 months. He further added, “Both those yards (BAE and Babcock) have more work than they can do on their sites—as I said, this is a buoyant time in the shipbuilding market—and they need supporting contractors.”

Ferguson Marine started work on the first sections for a Type 26 Frigate earlier this year.

In terms of scale, Tydeman compared the additional, potential future work from the Type 26 programme to ongoing projects at Ferguson. “Hull 802 will be about 3,000 tonnes of weight when she launches down the slipway later this year, and a bow block unit for type 26 ship 4—which we hope to do with BAE—will be about 900 tonnes,” he stated.

Elaborating on this, he said “A programme of work with BAE can use more than half the capacity of the yard, and I hope that we can complement that with the CMAL small ferry programme.”

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.”

On a brighter note for the yard as it exists today, Ferguson Marine had recently said that that they intended to work with defence contractor BAE Systems “to re-engage with them as a supply-chain partner” for the eight, complex Type 26 Frigates being built upriver. Ferguson say that this third-party work will contribute millions to the costs of running the shipyard and help sustain workforce skills. Luckily for them, they got the work.

The third-party work on behalf of a military shipbuilder upriver in Govan requires quality, precision and exacting standards. It’s a very big deal when it comes to sustaining the future of the Port Glasgow yard and it, in my opinion, demonstrates the trust the shipbuilding industry has in the Port Glasgow shipyard.

All of the above being said, activity at the yard appears to be increasing and if recent statements are anything to go by, I think the transparency the yard now appears to be committed to shows a far more professional situation than the yard’s workforce endured previously.

Yes, there are setbacks – massive setbacks actually – but the largest shipbuilder in the country has given them a vote of confidence and that speaks volumes.