{"id":187522,"date":"2023-09-30T02:48:54","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T02:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/?p=187522"},"modified":"2023-09-30T02:48:54","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T02:48:54","slug":"will-these-ferries-ever-set-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/world-news\/will-these-ferries-ever-set-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"Will these ferries ever set sale?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Islander have been \u2018betrayed\u2019 by the SNP Government amid soaring costs and fresh delays to two new ferries, it was claimed last night.<\/p>\n
Shipyard bosses admitted yesterday they had \u2018significantly understated\u2019 the increase in the vessels\u2019 costs by \u00a310million \u2013 which amounts to a total rise of \u00a324million in only three months.<\/p>\n
It means the potential price of completing the ferries could reach \u00a3400million, nearly four times the original estimate.<\/p>\n
Despairing islanders are still waiting for the two reliable ferries that were promised by SNP ministers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both vessels, the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, are now five years past their 2018 completion date.<\/p>\n
But the latest delays now mean that the Glen Rosa will not be in service until at least May 2025, with questions mounting about whether the boats will ever set sail.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Ferguson Marine shipyard is years behind with the construction of the two ferries<\/p>\n
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser described Scottish Government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine as a \u2018black hole\u2019 for public money.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Referring to the two unbuilt ferries, he added: \u2018I will be surprised if either\u00a0of them ever end up in the water.\u2019<\/p>\n
SNP ministers awarded a \u00a397million contract in 2015 to the independence-supporting tycoon Jim McColl to build the two ferries at the Port Glasgow shipyard \u2013 which subsequently collapsed and was taken into public ownership.<\/p>\n
A scandal also erupted around how the contract was won after it emerged that the Scottish Government colluded with Ferguson Marine before bidding began, leading to accusations that the deal was \u2018rigged\u2019.<\/p>\n
The anticipated cost of finishing the vessels now stands at \u00a3368.5million, although the shipyard has said that it could go up by another \u00a330million for the \u2018worst-case contingency\u2019.<\/p>\n
David Tydeman, chief executive of Ferguson Marine, yesterday admitted failing to calculate the completion costs correctly.<\/p>\n
In a letter to Holyrood\u2019s public audit committee, he confessed: \u2018I significantly underestimated the total forecast cost to complete Glen Sannox, for which I apologise.\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Tydeman also confirmed that the Glen Sannox is not due to be ready until the end of March next year \u2013 and that the Glen Rosa completion date will be pushed back by another five months until May 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
However, he warned that there are \u2018still risks of issues arising\u2019 with the Glen Sannox during trials.<\/p>\n
Mr Tydeman said: \u2018Our ability to guarantee completion by March 31, 2024, will thus depend on how well the trials progress.\u2019<\/p>\n
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: \u2018The SNP\u2019s shambolic handling of building these two new lifeline ferries means taxpayers\u2019 money is continuing to be wasted on an astonishing scale. Successive SNP transport ministers have betrayed islanders time and time again.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is simply disgraceful that it has been confirmed that they will now have to wait even longer for one of these vessels to be delivered, with the Hull 802 ferry [Glen Rosa] set to be seven years late.<\/p>\n
\u2018Every update from Ferguson Marine involves more costs for the taxpayer or a further slip in the endless delays island communities have had to suffer.\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Simpson said the \u2018consequences of the ferry fiasco have been devastating for residents and the local economy in the areas affected\u2019.<\/p>\n
He said First Minister Humza Yousaf \u2018must stop ducking responsibility and agree to a full independent inquiry into this shameful waste of money\u2019.<\/p>\n
Warning that the nationalised shipyard must not be given a \u2018blank cheque at the public\u2019s expense\u2019, Scottish Labour transport spokesman Alex Rowley said: \u2018The blame for ever-increasing costs and delays lies squarely with the Scottish Government, [ferry procurement company] CMal and the history of management at Ferguson Marine for the complete failure to take charge.\u2019<\/p>\n
Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said: \u2018Today, we find out that costs have risen again, delays have risen again and islanders are still expected to just suck it up. It\u2019s time for the Government to demonstrate some accountability.\u2019<\/p>\n
The SNP\u2019s Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: \u2018This confirmation of further cost and delay is again extremely disappointing.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I remain fully committed to both ensuring that these ferries are able to enter service as soon as possible and ensuring a long-term, sustainable future for the yard.\u2019<\/p>\n