Ferry Fiasco (Scotland): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{short description|Ongoing political scandal in Scotland}}

[[File:Ferry deal set to create new jobs.jpg|thumb|First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] and [[Jim McColl]] at the Ferguson Marine shipyard on 31 August 2015|250x250px]]

The '''Ferry Fiasco''' is a name givenrefers to athe controversyconstruction, relatingmarred to theby delays and increasing costs, of two ferries under construction,; {{MV|Glen Sannox|2017|6}} and {{MV|Glen Rosa}},; in Scotland. The ferries are being built by [[Ferguson Marine]] Ltd, for the state-owned ferry operator [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] under direction of [[Caledonian Maritime Assets]] Ltd (CMALCMA), [[Transport Scotland]], and the [[Scottish Government]]. Originally intended to come into service in 2018 and 2019 respectively, both ferries have been delayed by over five years, and costs have more than trebledquadrupled to £360450 million.<ref>https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ferry-shambles-long-delayed-33596929.amp</ref><ref name="September 2023 delay">{{cite news |title=Further delay and up to £24m in 'understated' costs to late CalMac ferries |url=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/delayed-calmac-ferries-pushed-back-another-year-over-understated-costs |agency=STV News |date=29 September 2023}}</ref>

The contract required the ships to have [[Marine LNG Engine|dual fuel engines]], to use both [[Fuel oil#marine gas oil|marine gas oil]] diesel fuel, and [[liquefied natural gas]] which was already in use for ferries in northern Europe, such as the [[Samsø]] ferry, to meet tightened emissions regulation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="CMAL 20150831 Ferry deal">{{cite web | title=Ferry deal set to create new jobs | website=CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd | date=31 August 2015 | url=https://www.cmassets.co.uk/ferry-deal-set-to-create-new-jobs/ | access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref> Ferguson Marine director [[Jim McColl]] later said the ferries were UK "prototypes", and that delays had been incurred in getting certification for Ferguson's design from [[Lloyd's Register]] and the [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]].<ref name="Black 2018">{{cite web | last=Black | first=Andrew | title=Shipyard owner frustrated at ferry delay | website=BBC News | date=29 August 2018 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-45339585 | access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref>

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Caledonian MacBrayne ("CalMac") operate mainly in the Clyde and Hebrides regions of the west coast of Scotland, and serve a local population of around 45,000 people.<ref name=week>{{cite news |title=IN DEPTH Scotland's ongoing ferry fiasco: what you need to know |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/business/956731/scotland-ongoing-ferry-fiasco-explained |publisher=The Week |date=13 May 2022}}</ref> There are no other large scale [[ferry operators]] in the area. Many of its routes are considered "lifeline services" which run to 22 of the 'major' west-coast islands. On average its 34 vessels complete 466 crossings a day.<ref name="week" />

Delays and cancellations in recent years have been blamed by CalMac on ageing ferries, with the average age of their vessels being 24 years. Of the 10 largest ferries, four are over 30 years old, which is beyond their expected operational life; {{MV|Isle of Arran||2}} is 40 years old.<ref>{{cite news |title=The problem with CalMac's ageing ferries |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61161932 |publisher=The [[BBC News]]|date=13 May 2022}}</ref> Research shows the replacement of ferries fell from one every 14 months from 1993 to 2007 (with 33,350 tonnes launched), to one every 36.1 months from 2007 to 2021 (with 16,188 tonnes launched).<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferry figures show the Scottish government is sailing in troubled water |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ferry-figures-show-the-scottish-government-is-sailing-in-troubled-water-jctb568c7 |work=[[The Times ]]|date=14 April 2021}}</ref>

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==Procurement process==

[[File:Scotland ferries map.png|thumb|A map showing all the significant [[ferry]] routes in Scotland. [[CalMacCaledonian MacBrayne]] routes are shown in red.|374x374px]]The last shipyard on the lower [[River Clyde]], Ferguson Marine LtdShipbuilders, went into administration in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland's last commercial shipyard Ferguson Shipbuilders set to close |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/15/ferguson-shipbuilders-close-70-jobs-redundant |work=[[The Guardian ]]|date=15 August 2014 |access-date=15 Aug 2014}}</ref> In August of that year, then [[First Minister of Scotland]] [[Alex Salmond]] brokered a deal with industrialist [[Jim McColl]] towho buybought the business and assets, and formed Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd. (FMEL) as a new subsidiary. A year later the business was awarded a £97 million contract to build two ferries: one to serve the Isle of Arran, replacing {{MV|Isle of Arran}}, and the second to sail between [[Skye]], [[North Uist]] and [[Harris, Outer Hebrides|Harris]]. [[Inverclyde]] [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[Ronnie Cowan (politician)|Ronnie Cowan]] described this decision as "just reward" for the investment McColl had made in Ferguson Marine.<ref name=national>{{cite news |title=Jim McColl's Ferguson shipyard wins £97m CalMac ferries deal |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/14899994.jim-mccolls-ferguson-shipyard-wins-97m-calmac-ferries-deal/ |agency=The National |date=17 October 2015}}</ref> Ferguson Marine was announced as the preferred bidder on 31 August 2015 to coincide with an announcement from the UK Government about a £500 million expansion of the [[Royal Navy]]'s nuclear submarine base at nearby [[Faslane]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jack |first1=Ian |title=Chasing Steel |issue=18 |url=https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n18/ian-jack/chasing-steel |journal=London Review of Books |date=22 September 2022 |volume=44 |access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref>

At the time there were concerns that Ferguson Marine had not built any ferries of that size in the recent past.<ref name=newsnight>{{cite web |title=Scotland's ferry fiasco: What went wrong? |date=6 August 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09rjzd5 |publisher=BBC Newsnight |access-date=22 June 2022}}</ref> A new management team had recently been installed, and they too had no experience of building a ferry of this size.<ref name=newsnight/> The finances of Ferguson Marine were so tight that they told the Scottish Government they could not provide the financial guarantees that were stipulated in the contract.<ref name=newsnight/> These guarantees would make the shipbuilder responsible for any cost overruns. Of the six shipyards that tendered to build the ferries, Ferguson Marine put forward the most expensive bid, at £37 million more than the cheapest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ten things we learned about Scotland's ferry fiasco |work=BBC News |date=27 September 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-62839605 |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>

As contract negotiations between the Statutory Harbour Authority Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd ("CMAL"), owner of 16 ports and harbours in the Clyde and Islands, and Ferguson Marine were concluding in September 2015, the chairman of CMAL, Erik Ostergard, criticised the process, ongoing costs and Ferguson Marine's lack of a track record in projects of this nature. Scottish Ministers wrote to Ostergard absolving his organisation of blame should the deal go bad.<ref name=newsnight/> CMAL's preference was to restart the procurement process. On 9 October Transport Scotland informed CMAL that, after due consideration, Scottish ministers were aware of the risks but content to proceed to award the contract.<ref name=AuditScotlandReport>{{cite web |title=New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802 |date=23 March 2022 |url=https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/new-vessels-for-the-clyde-and-hebrides |publisher=Audit Scotland |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

The contract was formally awarded to Ferguson Marine at the Scottish National Party Conference in Aberdeen on 16 October 2015. The announcement was made by [[Derek Mackay]] who was then a [[Minister for Transport (Junior Minister)|junior minister]] responsible for Transport and Islands.<ref name=national/>

=== Controversy ===

In September 2022, the [[BBC]] obtained documents indicating that Ferguson Marine received preferential treatment in the procurement process. CMAL held an in-person meeting with Ferguson, which was not extended to other bidders. Ferguson also uniquely received a 424-page document from a design consultant setting out CalMac's technical requirements, which was not extended to other bidders, who had to rely on a more limited 125-page specification. A key section of Ferguson's bid was largely copied from this longer document. Ferguson was also allowed to significantly change its design halfway through the tender by developing a variant mentioned but discounted in its original submission. This change allowed it to reduce its price by nearly £10 million.<ref name="BBC Disclosure">{{cite news |title=Leaked dossier suggests Scottish ferry deal may have been rigged |work=BBC News |date=27 September 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-62986757 |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>

==Design and build==

[[File:171119 Ferguson Marine, MV Glen Sannox bow.jpg|thumb|[[MV Glen Sannox (2017)|MV ''Glen Sannox'']] under construction at [[Ferguson Marine|Ferguson Marine Engineering]], Glasgow|245x245px]]When designed, it was decided that the two ferries would use both marine [[diesel fuel|diesel]] and [[liquified natural gas]], which was a new concept for the region, and would allow the ferries to have lower emissions and allow operators flexibility over fuel sourcing and fuel costs.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Presentation to the Arran Ferry Committee 10 April 2017 |url=http://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JA-and-LH-Presentation-20.4.17-Without-Animations.pdf |website=CMAL |access-date=27 June 2022}}</ref> Another requirement was that the ferries would need larger bow thrusters and a stern thruster to make them more manoeuvrable in dock. Liquefied natural gas needs to be stored at −162&nbsp;°C and the required tanks and bow thrusters meant each ferry being 200 tonnes heavier than an equivalent vessel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Presentation to the Arran Ferry Committee 10 April 2017 |url=http://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JA-and-LH-Presentation-20.4.17-Without-Animations.pdf |website=CMAL |access-date=27 June 2022}}</ref>

Within two months of the contract being awarded, CMAL alerted the Project Steering Group (PSG) to problems at Ferguson Marine.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> The PSG was chaired by Transport Scotland and also included representatives from CMAL and CalMac and provided oversight of the project.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> CMAL reported that Ferguson Marine failed to provide a detailed plan for building the ferries, and failed to assign the correct workforce resources; quality issues were becoming apparent, and there was lack of space at the shipyard.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> CMAL could not intervene with the shipbuilder's handling of the project and could not prevent them from starting construction of the vessels before designs were finalised. During this time Transport Scotland only provided oral updates on the project to Scottish Ministers.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" />

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=== Passenger capacity ===

Early in 2024 it was revealed that the passenger capacity of each ferry, which was stipulated to be 1000 passengers in the contract, would actually be only 852. Ferguson Marine stated that this would not be a breach of contract because the contract was being amended.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24157538.compensation-questions-passenger-cut-ferry-fiasco-contract/ | title=Compensation questions over 300-passenger axe to Scots ferry fiasco contract | date=3 March 2024 }}</ref>

=== Initial delays ===

The contract for the ships stipulated that Ferguson Marine had to submit individual sets of drawings at least 30 days prior to work starting, as CMAL needed approval from [[Lloyd's Register]].<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> Ferguson Marine reported that the requirement for CMAL to sign off every drawing slowed progress down and it could take several months for the shipbuilder to process CMAL's comments on the individual drawings.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> The shipbuilder reported that it had to engage in out-of-sequence working to try to keep the project moving, so it prioritised constructing the vessels to meet the milestone dates. Despite not having an approved design, steel was cut on 15 December 2015 in line with the contractual date.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> CMAL's onsite team identified problems during construction and issued reports to Ferguson Marine's management outlining their concerns and recommendations. The shipbuilder considered some of the recommendations unnecessary and that they added to costs and delays.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> CMAL could not direct the builder to respond, and by the time they went into administration only 52 per cent of the issues had been resolved.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> From 2016 Ferguson Marine experienced cash flow problems which it blamed on problems with the contract. The Scottish Government approved a series of financial support payments and loans.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" /> Audit Scotland subsequently found that although this financial support allowed the shipbuilder to retain its workforce, it had little effect on the progress of construction.<ref name="AuditScotlandReport" />[[File:200127 Ferguson Marine entrance, Hull 802.jpg|alt=Picture of Red ship hull under construction with a building to the left of the image and a metal fence in front|thumb|[[Hull 802]] under construction at Ferguson Marine Glasgow|left]]The delays got worse as the project progressed. By November 2017, when First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] launched Glen Sannox,<ref>{{cite news |title=IN Pictures — Launch Of Ferry Glen Sannox At Port Glasgow |url=https://www.inverclydenow.com/in-pictures-launch-of-ferry-glen-sannox-at-port-glasgow/ |publisher=Inverclyde Now |date=21 November 2017}}</ref> the ship (which was supposed to be in service by mid-2018) was 431 days behind schedule.<ref name=AuditScotlandReport/> At launch windows had been painted on, the funnel was not operational and the bulbous bow, though present, was made from flat sheet steel and had been rejected by an inspector from Lloyd's Register as requiring to be renewed in its entirety.<ref name=newsnight/> The BBC claimed that these items had been fitted so that the builder could claim one of 15 "milestone payments" (to culminate in the final payment of £97 million on delivery of the ferries) from the Scottish Government.<ref name=newsnight/> As of November 2023 the ferry is not yet in service.

Ferguson Marine went into administration in August 2019. Shortly beforehand, CMAL had reported to the Project Steering Group that the vessels were showing signs of deterioration, that no more than six people were working on {{MV|Glen Sannox|2017|2}}, and no more than two people working on vessel 802 an any one time.<ref name=AuditScotlandReport/> The construction of both hulls continued to suffer repeated delays and mechanical issues after nationalisation. A turnaround director, Tim Hair, was appointed between August 2019 and July 2021: he brought improvements to the yard and created 100 jobs, but there was criticism of the £1.2 million paid in fees to secure his services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland's £2,783-a-day ferry fiasco 'fixer' got job after single phone interview |date=7 November 2021 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/19700073.scotlands-2-783-a-day-ferry-fiasco-fixer-got-job-single-phone-interview/ |publisher=The Herald |access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref>

[[Covid-19]] further hampered construction, which was stopped for 11 weeks and initially opened with less than 10% of its workforce, who had to work with social distancing measures.<ref name=AuditScotlandReport/> It emerged that the Scottish Government had paid a further £49 million from Covid Support Funds to Ferguson Marine.<ref>{{cite news |title=SNP paid £49m to build stricken Ferguson Marine ferries from Covid business support department |url=https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-paid-49m-build-stricken-27161772 |agency=The Daily Express |date=7 June 2022}}</ref>

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In February 2022, at least 400 electrical cables installed aboard ''Glen Sannox'' were found to be too short to reach equipment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anger as short cables place new doubt over delivery of lifeline CalMac vessels |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/19914432.anger-short-cables-place-new-doubt-delivery-lifeline-calmac-vessels/ |agency=The Herald |date=10 February 2022}}</ref> By the end of September 2022, only 26% of cables had been replaced. CMAL warned; "The current rate at which cable is pulled presents a serious threat to the project".<ref name="Ships may never be delivered">{{cite news |title=Further threat ferry fiasco ships may never be delivered as cost to taxpayer soars by nearly £100m |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/22829878.threat-ferry-fiasco-ships-may-never-delivered-cost-taxpayer-soars-nearly-100m/ |agency=The Herald |date=29 September 2022}}</ref> In April 2022 Dr Spyros Hirdaris, a professor of maritime safety from [[Helsinki]] where the engine manufacturer [[Wartsila]] is based, stated that there was a high possibility that the engines would not work, as they had sat idle for six years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Experts fear for delayed CalMac ferries' unused engines with risk of failure after years left idle |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/calmac-ferries-engines/ |agency=The Sunday Post |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> In November of the same year Ferguson Marine announced the ferries would rely on diesel alone for an unquantified period as they required bespoke vacuum sensors, with a lead-term of 36 weeks for delivery, in order to comply with refrigerated LNG regulations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alf |first1=Young |title=Nicola Sturgeon faces boatload of questions on ferries fiasco |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola-sturgeon-faces-boatload-of-questions-on-ferries-fiasco-whkf29jz7 |work=The Times |access-date=2 November 2022}}</ref>

In May 2022 [[Jim McColl]] blamed the Scottish government for the problems with the contract, however [[Nicola Sturgeon]] claimed that the contract had saved 400 jobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jim McColl: Nicola Sturgeon accused of lying while tycoon admits own 'mistake' |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20110174.jim-mccoll-nicola-sturgeon-accused-lying-tycoon-admits-mistake/ |publisher=The National |date=3 May 2022}}</ref> In the meantime island community groups said the continued disruption and unreliability of ferry services had left them in a critical situation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Island ferries chaos is 'critical', MSPs told |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/island-ferries-chaos-is-critical-msps-told-8wcfkcpqk |agency=The Times |date=29 June 2022}}</ref> In the year to March 2021, [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] had been fined £3.2 million by [[Transport Scotland]] for delays,<ref>{{cite web |title=CalMac hit with £3.5 million performance-related fines| url=https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/20659386.calmac-hit-3-5-million-performance-related-fines/ |website=Ardrossan Herald | date=16 August 2022 |access-date=19 September 2022}}</ref> whilst on occasion ferry customers became aggressive after service disruption following ferry breakdowns.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferry bosses call in cops to deal with 'aggressive customers' as Scots routes disrupted |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ferry-bosses-call-cops-deal-27676449 |agency=The Daily Record |date=7 August 2022}}</ref>

As of December 2022 ''Glen Sannox'' was expected to be delivered five years behind schedule, between March and May 2023,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferguson Marine ferries for CalMac delayed by another eight months to 2023 |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ferguson-marine-ferries-for-calmac-delayed-by-another-eight-months-to-2023-3623872 |agency=The Scotsman |date=23 March 2022}}</ref> a deadline that was not met. Its sister ship, provisionally designated [[MV Glen Rosa|Hull 802]] (later named [[MV Glen Rosa|MV ''Glen Rosa'']]), was expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferguson Marine says 802 ferry to be delayed again as chief predicts final cost of 'ferries fiasco' |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/22815495.ferguson-marine-says-802-ferry-delayed-chief-predicts-final-cost-ferries-fiasco/ |website=The National |date=28 September 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Scottish ferries contract hit by fresh delay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63066317 |agency=BBC News |date=28 September 2022}}</ref> Both ships are also reported to be unlikely to operate their designated routes while the £130 million project to convert existing infrastructure in the ports to handle the new ferries remains incomplete; with (as of September 2022) the £40 million upgrade of [[Ardrossan]]'s port, from which {{MV|Glen Sannox|2017|2}} will operate, yet to start due to complexities on how the bill will be split between [[Transport Scotland]], the port's owner, and [[North Ayrshire]] council. This is believed to lead to a further three years delay on the new ferry serving that route.<ref>{{cite news |title=Islanders' anger over harbours unable to take delayed ferries |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/islanders-anger-over-harbours-unable-to-take-delayed-ferries-8trmb07mq |agency=The Times |date=5 September 2022}}</ref>

===2023 delays ===

In March 2023 the Ferguson Marine chief executive revealed additional delays: an "absolute deadline" of December 2023 for the first ship, though hoping for completion in the autumn, and the late summer of 2024 for the second ship.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/23391921.glen-sannox-delivery-new-ardrossan-arran-ferry-delayed/ | title=Further delays for overdue new Ardrossan-Arran ferry and sister vessel | date=16 March 2023 }}</ref>

In May 2023, Wellbeing Economy Secretary [[Neil Gray]] admitted to the Scottish Parliament that it would likely be cheaper to scrap Hull 802 and start again rather than see the ship through to completion, but affirmed that the Scottish Government would still push ahead with finishing the existing vessel, as a new ferry could not be deployed until 2027 at the earliest. The plan required him to issue Ministerial Written Authority to civil servants authorising continued spending on the ferry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Completing Ferguson ferry will cost more than building brand new vessel |url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/completing-ferguson-ferry-cost-more-29994581 |agency=Insider.co.uk |date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

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By the end of September 2023, Ferguson chief executive David Tydeman told the Scottish Government's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee that MV ''Glen Rosa'' had been further delayed and that its completion date had been pushed back from the end of 2024 to the end of May 2025. An additional £10 million in unstated costs identified since June 2023 also pushed the cost of both ferries to more than £360 million.<ref name="September 2023 delay"/>

In February 2024 it was announced that ''Glen Sannox'' had begun her sea trials, but her projected in-service date had slipped further, to late May;<ref>https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/mv-glen-sannox-begins-sea-trials-amid-fresh-delay-warning</ref> then in March 2024 that her handover was likely delayed to July/August. Ferguson Marine CEO David Tydeman was dismissed after the announcement of the further delay.<ref>https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ferry-chaos-ferguson-marine-32443914.amp</ref>▼

===2024 delays ===

▲In February 2024 it was announced that ''Glen Sannox'' had begun her sea trials, but her projected in-service date had slipped further, to late May;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/mv-glen-sannox-begins-sea-trials-amid-fresh-delay-warning | title=MV Glen Sannox begins sea trials amid fresh delay warning }}</ref> then in March 2024 that her handover was likely delayed to July/August. Ferguson Marine CEO David Tydeman was dismissed after the announcement of the further delay.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ferry-chaos-ferguson-marine-32443914.amp | title=SNP ferry chaos as Ferguson Marine boss SACKED as Glen Sannox faces more delays | date=26 March 2024 }}</ref>

In July 2024 it was announced that there would be a further delay, to at least the end of September 2024, before handover would take place,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y1x7lkdwo | title=New delivery delay for CalMac ferry Glen Sannox | date=2 August 2024 }}</ref> and problems supercooling LNG fuel pipes then made a September handover unachievable, with an additional delay of at least a fortnight.<ref> https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/glen-sannox-ferguson-marine-calmac-lng-ferry-cmal-4778626 </ref> The additional delay made the ferries more than six years late.

Before this additional delay trials the ferry was expected to carry passengers for a few days in December 2024, however it will thereafter be out of service for a few weeks for annual maintenance.<ref>https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-ferry-shambles-long-delayed-33596929.amp</ref>

==Inquiries==

[[File:Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber 3.jpg|thumb|The main [[Legislative chamber|chamber]] in the [[Scottish Parliament]]]]

The Scottish Parliament's Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee published a report in December 2020 after a 12-month inquiry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inquiry into construction and procurement of ferry vessels in Scotland |url=https://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/currentcommittees/113986.aspx |website=The Scottish Parliament |date=19 April 2021 |access-date=28 August 2022}}</ref> The report branded the situation a "catastrophic failure" of management.<ref>{{cite web |title=Damning Holyrood report brands CalMac ferry fiasco a 'catastrophic failure' |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18930067.damning-holyrood-report-brands-calmac-ferry-fiasco-catastrophic-failure/ |website=The Herald|date=9 December 2020 }}</ref> Further inquiries are being made by the parliament's Audit Committee and following a public petition, by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ship of state is veering wildly off course in bid to secure island links |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/affbea00-2320-11ed-bb7e-0eb11fc7ccd4?shareToken=ef6431f59a31f5cef3c3b2280f398372 |agency=The Times |date=24 August 2022}}</ref>

A report by [[Audit Scotland]] in March 2022 found the total cost to have risen to £240 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Multiple failings have led to delays and cost overruns which continue to obstruct delivery of island ferries |date=23 March 2022 |url=https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/news/multiple-failings-have-led-to-delays-and-cost-overruns-which-continue-to-obstruct-delivery-of |publisher=Audit Scotland}}</ref> Audit Scotland also found "insufficient evidence to explain why Scottish Ministers made [the] decision" to award the contract to Ferguson Marine. The Auditor General, Stephen Boyle, described his "frustration" at not being able to review all the documentation relating to the awarding of the contract for the two ferries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Auditor General expresses 'frustration' at lack of documents on ferry scandal |url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/auditor-general-expresses-frustration-lack-26763927 |agency=The Insider |date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New Vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802 |url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-public-audit-committee/business-items/new-vessels-for-the-clyde-and-hebrides-arrangements-for-the-delivery-of-vessels-801-and-802 |website=The Scottish Parliament |access-date=27 June 2022}}</ref> Former SNP Deputy Leader [[Jim Sillars]] accused the Scottish Government of criminal "misconduct in public office" and lodged a complaint to [[Police Scotland]] requesting they investigate the missing documents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Sillars lodges police complaint over ministers' ferry fiasco 'missing documents' |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/20120568.jim-sillars-lodges-police-complaint-ministers-ferry-fiasco-missing-documents/ |website=The Herald |date=6 May 2022 |access-date=6 May 2022}}</ref> This call was later supported by the [[Scottish Conservatives]] transport minister [[Graham Simpson (politician)|Graham Simpson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=New call for criminal probe over 'rigged' Scots ferry fiasco contract |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/22739859.new-call-criminal-probe-rigged-scots-ferry-fiasco-contract/ |website=The Herald |date=27 September 2022 |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref> and SNP-led [[North Ayrshire]] Council, but [[Police Scotland]] confirmed they were not investigating the allegations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Williams |title=Police not investigating Scots ferry fiasco despite complaints |date=11 November 2022 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23117272.police-not-investigating-scots-ferry-fiasco-despite-complaints/ |publisher=The Herald Newspaper |access-date=11 November 2022}}</ref>

Just before a Parliamentary debate on the contract, [[Jenny Gilruth]], Scotland's junior transport minister, produced an email to show that the contract was ultimately approved by [[Derek Mackay]], a disgraced previous junior transport minister who left the government in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/derek-mackay-quits-resigns-snp-teenage-boy-finance-secretary-latest-a9320476.html|title=Scotland's finance secretary quits after allegedly sending hundreds of messages to 16-year-old boy|date=6 February 2020|website=[[The Independent]]|first=Chris|last=Baynes|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206112743/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/derek-mackay-quits-resigns-snp-teenage-boy-finance-secretary-latest-a9320476.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jenny Gilruth produces email that claims Derek Mackay approved ferry fiasco contract |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/20131525.jenny-gilruth-produces-email-claims-derek-mackay-approved-ferry-fiasco-contract/ |agency=The Herald |date=11 May 2022}}</ref> The same email trail showed that the final decision was escalated to [[John Swinney]], the [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] and [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy|Cabinet Finance Secretary]], before the contract was finally awarded. Civil servants waited until he could be briefed before awarding the contract so he could check there were "no banana skins".<ref>{{cite web |title=Revealed: John Swinney consulted before ferry fiasco contract was given to Jim McColl's Ferguson Marine |date=11 May 2022 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/20131954.revealed-john-swinney-consulted-ferry-fiasco-contract-given-jim-mccolls-ferguson-marine/ |publisher=The Herald |access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref> He confirmed that the contract should proceed. Swinney subsequently claimed he was only providing "budget approval", rather than approval for the contract itself, as there would be "significant inefficiency" in Government if a senior Cabinet Minister was involved in approving every contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=John Swinney - I only gave budget approval in ferry deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61422970 |agency=BBC |date=12 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Swinney: Public inquiry into ferries scandal can be considered in 'due time' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/05/16/john-swinney-public-inquiry-ferries-scandal-can-considered-due/ |agency=[[The TelegraphDaily Telegraph]]|date=16 May 2022}}</ref> [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]], the then Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, signed the contract on behalf of the Scottish Government, but he also denied responsibility claiming to sign in lieu of Mackay who was on holiday at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derek Mackay on holiday when ferries deal signed puts new pressure on Sturgeon |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20023298.derek-mackay-holiday-ferries-deal-signed-puts-new-pressure-sturgeon/ |publisher=The Herald |date=26 March 2022}}</ref>[[File:John Swinney, Deputy First Minister.png|left|thumb|[[John Swinney]], the former [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]]]]In a written response to the Public Audit Committee, Mackay said that he had "confidence" in the recommendation, and that there was expectation the contract would receive "sufficient monitoring and oversight". [[Scottish Conservatives]] transport spokesman [[Graham Simpson (politician)|Graham Simpson]] called for a [[public inquiry]] into the fiasco.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferries contract decision 'remains unexplained' |url=https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2022/03/ferries-contract-decision-remains-unexplained/ |agency=The Insider |date=23 March 2022}}</ref> Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament, the "buck stops with me", claiming "lessons will be learned". She promised a full review but stopped short of a [[public inquiry]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon: Buck stops with me over ferry contract row |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland'-scotland-politics-60860642 |agency=BBC |date=24 March 2023}}</ref>

In September 2022, [[Transport Scotland]] published a report by consultants [[Ernst and Young]] called "Project Neptune" which concluded that having multiple state agencies involved in the procurement process led to confusion over roles and responsibilities. The report suggested introducing a possible "Ferries Commissioner", but added this could cause further confusion with "another stakeholder in an already crowded sector".<ref>{{cite news |title=Plans for sweeping changes to how ferries are run |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62841632 |agency=BBC News |date=8 September 2022}}</ref>

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|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23158621.anger-130m-taxpayers-money-lost-scot-gov-run-shipyard/ |work=The Herald |date=30 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>

In the spring of 2023 the Scottish Government commissioned a report by the consulting firm [[Teneo]], at the cost of £620,000, to give an independent assessment on the value for money of completing the ferries rather than scrapping them.<ref>{{cite webnews |title=Ferries 'value for money' study cost £620,000 |work=BBC News |date=17 June 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65938165 |website=BBC News}}</ref> The full report, which is subject to a non-disclosure agreement, concluded that it would be cheaper to construct an entirely new ship elsewhere rather than complete Hull 802). The Scottish Government decided to continue building the ship, with Economy Secretary Neil Gray telling the Scottish Parliament that a new vessel could not be deployed before at least May 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferry to be built at Ferguson yard despite not being 'value for money' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65601324 |website=BBC News| date=16 May 2023}}</ref> Gray said that the time that the decision to continue the construction of the ''Glen Rosa'' did not constitute a "blank cheque".<ref>{{cite news |title=Second ferry deal is not a blank cheque - minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65621657 |publisher=BBC News |date=17 May 2023}}</ref> However, the ''[[Greenock Telegraph]]'' subsequently reported that the value for money study into the MV ''Glen Rosa'' considered it likely that costs would rise even further in future based on Ferguson Marine's past record.<ref>{{cite news |title=Secret advice warned FM ferry fiasco cost could soar further |url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/24014750.secret-advice-warned-fm-ferry-fiasco-cost-soar/ |publisher=Greenock Telegraph |date=28 December 2023}}</ref>

==References==