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Swinney says sorry to islanders for ferry delays

PA Media A bald man with glasses - wearing a dark suit, white shirt and purple tie - looks towards the camera while in a seated, hunched position. PA Media
John Swinney says he is "entirely focused" on the issue

First Minister John Swinney has apologised "unreservedly" to islanders affected by delays in building two ferries to serve off Scotland's west coast.

The SNP leader said he regretted problems with the construction of the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa, which has run years late with costs massively over budget.

The ships have been built for operator CalMac at the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow.

Glen Sannox, which was supposed to have been launched in 2018, will finally begin timetabled sailings to the island of Arran on Monday.

Swinney told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "I regret very much the cost that's been involved and the delays that have been involved in the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa.

"These ferries should have been built a great deal faster than they were built, and I apologise unreservedly to island communities for the delays in those two ferries."

Swinney said he is "entirely focused" on "making sure that islanders have the ferry services that they require".

PA Media A Ferguson Marine worker, wearing company overalls, stands in the foreground looking out over the River Clyde towards a CalMac ship PA Media
The Glen Sannox has been delivered six years late and four times over budget

As well as the two ferries being built by Ferguson Marine, a further four new vessels for CalMac are being constructed in Turkey.

However, the first of those vessels is to be delivered late. The first minister cited "global supply chain issues".

He added: "We are investing in the ferry fleet to make sure that island communities are well supported, and they can be assured of the commitment of the Scottish government to make sure that that is the case."

The original contract price for the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa was £97m, but the total costs will be well in excess of £400m.

Work on the second ferry Glen Rosa is proceeding more smoothly, and the ship is expected to be delivered next September.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Sue Webber said: "Warm words simply won't cut it from John Swinney.

"SNP ministerial heads must finally roll for their catastrophic failures in delivering these lifeline ferries for islanders."