What's happened
The Ferguson Marine shipyard faces uncertainty as the cost of the MV Glen Sannox ferry is set to exceed \\(149 million with potential delivery delays. Efforts are underway by Scottish ministers to secure the future of the shipyard. Meanwhile, CalMac ferry services are disrupted due to vessel breakdowns and maintenance issues, including the MV Caledonian Isles being out of action for four more months.
Why it matters
The escalating costs and delays at Ferguson Marine raise concerns about the shipyard's viability and the impact on ferry services. Efforts to secure the shipyard's future are crucial for the local and national economy. The disruptions to CalMac services highlight the challenges faced by the ferry operator and the importance of maintaining a reliable fleet.
What the papers say
The Times reports on the escalating costs and potential delays of the MV Glen Sannox ferry, highlighting the challenges faced by Ferguson Marine. The Scotsman covers the Scottish government's efforts to secure the future of the shipyard amidst concerns over its viability. The Times also discusses the disruptions to CalMac ferry services and the impact on various routes.
How we got here
Ferguson Marine shipyard has been struggling with delays and cost overruns in completing ferries for CalMac, including the MV Glen Sannox. The shipyard's legacy issues and construction mistakes have added to the challenges. CalMac, Scotland's ferry operator, has been facing disruptions and capacity issues due to aging vessels and maintenance requirements.
More on these topics
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Caledonian MacBrayne, usually shortened to CalMac, is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast.