Legal action signalled in ferry design wrangle

A row over claimed “significant design changes” to Calmac’s delayed new Arran ferry has escalated to legal action.

Port Glasgow shipbuilders Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (Fmel) plans to make a claim against Scottish Government-owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) over the £97 million contract for the Glen Sannox and a sister vessel.

Fmel has blamed the changes and the newness of the technology for delays to the Glen Sannox, which could now enter service on the main Arran route next autumn – a year late. A Fmel spokesman said: “Due to the repeated unwillingness of Cmal to engage with Fmel over the additional costs identified due to unforeseen complexities in building the two prototype, first in class, dual fuel liquid natural gas vessels, we are in discussions with professional claims experts and aim to submit a formal claim to Cmal within the next few weeks.”

A Cmal spokesperson said: “Fmel entered into the contract with full knowledge of the specification and terms of the contract.

“Cmal fundamentally disagrees with any assertion there have been significant design changes.”