Caledonian MacBrayne Fleet Replacement (MV Glen Sannox)
Port Glasgow, Scotland, UK · 2015–2024 (ordered 2015, handed over late May 2024) · £142.4m (MV Glen Sannox alone), £380m (estimated for both vessels as of June 2024)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project became a high-profile case of significant cost overruns and delays, leading to the nationalization of Ferguson Marine. - Numerous lessons learned regarding project management, contract oversight, and the risks associated with innovative vessel construction. - The experience highlighted the challenges of building complex vessels in a constrained shipyard environment and the importance of robust design and planning from the outset.
Key engineering challenges
Pioneering complex dual-fuel (LNG and marine diesel) propulsion system in a UK-built ferry. - Significant design and construction challenges leading to repeated delays and substantial cost overruns. - Addressing issues such as hull cracks, vibration, and propeller problems identified during the build and trials. - Managing the complexities of a first-of-class vessel and integrating new technologies.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL)
- Lead contractor
- Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build (vessel/fleet programme)
- Scale
- Dual-fuel (LNG and marine diesel) Ro-Pax ferry; sister vessel MV Glen Rosa.
- Disciplines
- Marine Engineering; Naval Architecture; Mechanical Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Chemical Engineering (for LNG systems)
- Standards & frameworks
- International maritime regulations (IMO), classification society rules, UK shipbuilding standards.
Sources: BBC News: ‘Lessons learned’ as Ferguson ferry costs rise again (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-68406724) - Wikipedia: MV Glen Sannox (2017) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Glen_Sannox_(2017)) - CMAL: MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa (https://www.cmassets.co.uk/projects/mv-glen-sannox-mv-glen-rosa-vessels/) - Greenock Telegraph: ‘Lots of lessons learned’ from building of Glen Sannox (https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/24851777.lots-lessons-learned-building-glen-sannox/) - Gov.scot: Costs and dates for MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa (https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400422262/)