Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Ferry services in Scotland
Background
Two new vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network were first proposed by Transport Scotland in 2014. There have been ongoing problems with the procurement and construction of the vessels resulting in a series of cost increases and delays.
Consideration of quarterly updates to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
The Committee receives quarterly updates from shipbuilders Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) on progress towards completion of the Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and the Glen Rosa (Hull 802). This fulfils a commitment made in 2021 to the Session 5 Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee.
This page contains links to these updates, associated correspondence to and from the Committee, as well as the Committee’s scrutiny of progress of construction of the vessels in meetings or visits.
Other relevant correspondence about work on maintaining Scotland’s fleet of public ferries is also contained here.
Work by other committees in Session 6
Audit Scotland produced a timeline of the key events in its 2022 report “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”. The Public Audit Committee has considered this report. It has also considered the Written Authority provided by the Scottish Government on 14 May 2023 relating to the completion of Hull 802.
Read more about this work on the Public Audit Committee webpage
Meetings
12 September 2023
The Committee held an evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.
19 September 2023
The Committee agreed to invite Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd to give evidence at a future meeting following its forthcoming quarterly update on Hulls 801 and 802.
24 October 2023
The Committee held an evidence session with Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd.
19 December 2023
The Committee agreed to hold an evidence session on the MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa, and on related matters, with Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd at a future meeting and to write to the Scottish Government requesting more information on various matters concerning Scotland’s ferries.
Related work
The Committee also undertook an inquiry into a Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland from March 2022 – November 2023. This did not cover the construction of Hulls 801 and 802 but focused on the wider needs of Scotland’s ferry service.
Read more about this work on the Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland webpage
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) undertook to provide updates on construction of the four new ferries built in Turkey to serve Islay and the Little Minch. These can be found under the correspondence section of the page for that inquiry and on this page.