Sea trials of the long-delayed MV Glen Sannox ferry have been deemed an “overall success” by the shipbuilding company. The ferry, which has faced delays and exceeded its budget, completed a series of sea acceptance trials following the conclusion of construction work at the Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde. The success of the trials comes after a recent setback caused by a blackout resulting from a power cut onboard the vessel on October 3.
In a statement to Sir Edward Mountain, Conservative MSP and convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport (NZET) committee, Ferguson Marine’s interim CEO John Pettigrew outlined the positive outcomes of the sea trials conducted between Tuesday and Thursday. These trials included testing various aspects of the ship’s functionality such as steering, speed, stopping, thrusters, noise, vibration, Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS), and endurance. The shipbuilders have committed to providing the NZET committee with a definitive handover date once confirmed.
The letter from Ferguson Marine expressed satisfaction with the overall success of the sea trials and noted the resolution of the fire and gas detection system setup. Additionally, two successful LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkerings were carried out, and the LNG tank level alarms were tested and approved. While acknowledging ongoing work, Ferguson Marine assured the committee of providing a confirmed handover date in due course.
The Scottish Conservatives and ferry operator CalMac were approached for comments on the recent developments. The completion of the sea trials marks a significant milestone for the MV Glen Sannox project, which has faced several challenges throughout its construction process. The positive outcome of the trials is a welcome development for all stakeholders involved in the project.
As the ferry project progresses towards completion, stakeholders continue to monitor the timeline for the vessel’s handover and ultimate entry into service. The successful completion of the sea trials serves as a testament to the dedication and efforts of all involved in overcoming the various obstacles that have beset the MV Glen Sannox ferry project.