The revised delivery schedule is set out in a letter from the Scottish Government to the Scottish Parliament’s Transport Committee, confirming that it has accepted the shipyard’s latest request to postpone delivery.

The governmental notice states that; while GLEN ROSA remains capable of delivery in quarter four according to Ferguson Marine’s operational plan, following discussions at the GLEN ROSA Coordination Group a February 2027 handover date has been recommended as the most effective delivery approach.

“Now that Wärtsilä has delivered the replacement propeller blades for GLEN ROSA, an opportunity has arisen to install them at dry-docking in January before the vessel enters service. I have accepted that this will be operationally more effective and provides the best opportunity to secure reliable, resilient ferry services for island communities. It will also support operational learning from the replacement propeller blades on GLEN SANNOX and ensure that the LNG systems are only filled and commissioned once,” writes Mark Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport in the Scottish Government.

He points out that the option also provides for resilience and continued connectivity through retention of the ISLE OF LEWIS throughout more of the winter period - helping safeguard service continuity across the fleet for island communities.

“I have therefore chosen to accept this approach,” Mark Flynn said in the letter.

If GLEN ROSA is delivered in February next year, the ferry will be 103 months – or eight years and seven months – late against the original contract signed with Ferguson Marine in October 2015. GLEN SANNOX, the first of the two newbuilds, was delivered in November 2024, also following substantial delays. Propeller cavitation was among several problems the ferry experienced after entering service.

Read also: CMAL takes ownership of remaining Cemre vessels to safeguard delivery for island communities 

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