Shipyard manager removed as new ferry delay expected

Andy Crossan was seconded from CMAL to work as programme director on Glen Sannox

A senior manager in charge of the construction of the ferry Glen Sannox has been removed and a further delay to delivery is expected, the BBC understands.

Ferguson shipyard said programme director Andy Crossan, who was seconded from Scottish government ferries agency CMAL, was no longer working on the project.

The Calmac vessel, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ferry built in the UK, is due for delivery by 31 July.

Glen Sannox and its sister vessel Glen Rosa were originally due six years ago, but have faced repeated delays and spiralling costs.

CMAL has blamed "catastrophic" contractor failure - but former yard owner Jim McColl, who rescued it from administration in 2014, claims a flawed specification and subsequent interference by CMAL were the problem.

Andy Crossan joined CMAL as projects director and technical manager in 2015, just a few weeks before the contract was awarded to the Port Glasgow yard.

As the build ran into trouble, relations with Jim McColl's management team became so fraught that he was temporarily banned from the shipyard.

Glen Sannox is nearing completion but CMAL wants its LNG fuel systems to be commissioned before it is handed over

However, in March 2022 he was seconded into the senior leadership team of the now-nationalised shipyard by new boss David Tydeman in a bid to improve the working relationship with CMAL.

Mr Crossan was well-known to many of the workers, having been a manager there from 1990-2007 when the firm was known as Ferguson Shipbuilders.

A spokesperson for Ferguson Marine said: "We can confirm the secondment arrangement with CMAL has ended and the secondee is no longer supporting the vessels programme."

Mr Crossan continues to be employed by CMAL.

Cryo-steel pipes

It comes after shipyard boss David Tydeman was unexpectedly sacked by the Ferguson Marine board in March as he prepared to announce a delay, linked to difficulties completing the LNG propulsion system.

The system requires specialist outside contractors to install "cryo-steel" pipes capable of withstanding temperatures of minus 160C.

His replacement John Petticrew said last month that the yard was on still track to finally deliver the ship to CMAL by 31 July without any further cost increases but he also warned of challenges in completing the LNG system.

Sources close the shipyard have told BBC Scotland News a further delay is likely.

Final work on Glen Sannox is being carried out a short distance from the Port Glasgow yard, at the Inchgreen quayside in Greenock.

Initial sea trials using traditional marine diesel are said to have gone well, but the dual-fuel ship's LNG systems have yet to be fully commissioned.

The ship is due to become the main ferry on the busy Arran route, but will require several weeks of sea trials by CalMac after delivery before it can carry passengers.

Ferguson said an update on the ship's delivery would be given at the end of this month.