Ferguson’s Second Ferry Departs on Builder’s Sea Trials
Scottish shipbuilder Ferguson Marine has officially commenced builder’s sea trials for MV Glen Rosa, marking a major milestone in the vessel commissioning process as construction nears completion at its Port Glasgow shipyard.
The 102-metre dual-fuel passenger ferry departed for initial trials on the Firth of Clyde to evaluate integrated onboard propulsion, navigation, and machinery systems.
Vessel Specifications and Technical Testing
MV Glen Rosa (Hull 802) is a 7,772 GT dual-fuel car and passenger ferry designed to operate on both marine gas oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Constructed for asset owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to be operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), the ferry is built to serve the Clyde network between Troon and Brodick.
The ongoing builder’s sea trials allow shipyard engineers to validate months of dockside testing and outfitting under active marine conditions. Following the completion of this initial testing phase, Ferguson Marine will address required technical refinements before advancing to final outfitting activities.
Propeller Upgrades and Delivery Schedule
Prior to formal delivery, Ferguson Marine is scheduled to install replacement propeller blades in January 2027 to resolve cavitation issues identified during dockside evaluations. Yard engineers will also finalize the commissioning of the vessel’s dual-fuel LNG fuel system. Following these works, the ferry will undergo final owner’s sea trials conducted jointly with CMAL and CalMac to demonstrate full operational capability prior to formal handover targeted for February 2027.
For shipowners, ferry operators, and regional transport authorities, the progress of MV Glen Rosa represents a vital step toward modernizing Scottish ferry infrastructure and strengthening transport reliability across island networks. The integration of dual-fuel propulsion aligns with broader maritime decarbonization objectives by significantly reducing emissions on key coastal transit routes.
