Troubled MV Glen Rosa moves to Greenock dry dock as Ferguson Marine targets Q4 2026 delivery
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Ferguson Marine has announced that the delivery of the much delayed MV Glen Rosa has taken a step forward
MV Glen Rosa has successfully transitioned into its second dry dock, marking a “major step forward” in the delivery of the much delayed dual-fuel ferry -- eight years after it was set to be delivered.
The ferry has now been relocated from Port Glasgow to the nearby Dales Marine Services facility in Greenock where it will undergo underwater inspections, outfitting and structural works.
Graeme Thomson, CEO of Ferguson Marine, said: “Seeing a vessel of this size and complexity transition into dry dock is yet another rewarding milestone for our team. It signifies that we are moving out of the construction phase and focusing heavily on the final stages of commissioning and outfitting. We are proud of the momentum the team is maintaining and remain absolutely committed to delivering MV Glen Rosa to the highest standards in Q4 2026.”
Kevin Paterson, CEO at Dales Marine Services, said he recognised the importance of the vessel to the Clyde and Hebrides network.
He said: “We are pleased to support Ferguson Marine with this important stage in the delivery of MV Glen Rosa. The move into dry dock enables critical access to complete key elements of the vessel ahead of final commissioning.
"Our experienced team at Greenock is focused on delivering a defined package of specialist works safely, efficiently and to the required standards, alongside Ferguson Marine. We recognise the importance of this vessel to the Clyde and Hebrides network and are committed to supporting its progression towards entry into service.”
The vessel is expected to remain at Dales Marine facility until mid-july, when it will return to Port Glasgow to finalise commissioning before embarking on sea trials later in the year ahead of a Q4 2026 launch.
Kevin Hobbs, CEO at Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), said: “This is another important milestone, and we welcome this further step towards vessel completion and delivery.”
The delivery of MV Glen Rosa has been delayed for more than eight years. Costs for the vessel have risen sharply since the yard was nationalised in 2019 - with a price tag of £197.5m attached to the project. When the project was announced in 2015, the combined cost of the ferry and sister vessel – MV Glen Sannox – was anticipated as being £97m.
By 2019, when the shipyard fell into administration, the project was more than £100m over budget. It is now estimated that the cost of both ships has reached £500m.
In January of this year, it was revealed that a six-month delivery delay for MV Glen Rosa would cost an extra £12.5m.
MV Glen Rosa launched from the slipway around two years ago, however it has continued to be plagued by design issues and has become a political hot topic. MV Glen Sannox made its maiden voyage in January 2025.