Caledonian MacBrayne’s Glen
Sannox, originally due for delivery in 2018, undergoing sea trials on the Clyde on 14 February.
JAMES PRENTICE
One of the pair of much-delayed 5,000gt ferries for services to Arran being built for Caledonian MacBrayne on the Clyde by Ferguson Marine at Port Glasgow began sea trials on 13 February. She is due to be delivered in June and will be followed by sistership Glen Rosa during May 2025.
The ships were expected to have cost £97 million when originally ordered for delivery in 2018 and 2019, but the price is thought to have quadrupled during many years of delays. With yard numbers of 801 and 802, each ferry has a pair of Wärtsilä diesel engines driving twin screws for a speed of 16.5 knots, using LNG or marine diesel fuel. They will be able to take up to 1,000 passengers and 127 cars, or a mix of cars and freight vehicles.