CalMac ferry Glen Rosa leaves Ferguson shipyard for the final time

The new CalMac ferry MV Glen Rosa has left the nationalised Ferguson shipyard for what is expected to be final time as it nears completion.

The ship was towed by tugs from the Port Glasgow yard to the quayside at Inchgreen in Greenock where the final fitting out and commissioning will take place.

Glen Rosa was originally due for delivery in 2018, but design challenges and disputes over claims for extra costs saw the ship and its sister vessel MV Glen Sannox repeatedly delayed.

The vessel's departure leaves the Port Glasgow site without any ships under construction for the first time in 12 years, but the firm says it now plans to modernise the site in preparation for promised new orders.

The GMB union welcomed the ship's progress but said it was now even more pressing for Scottish ministers to make good on a pre-election pledge to directly award the yard contracts for four new vessels.

Glen Rosa is expected to be handed over to the Scottish government's ferries body CMAL by the end of the year.

Specialist sub-contractors will carry out much of the remaining construction work, including commissioning the liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system on the dual fuel ship before sea trials commence this autumn.

Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) chief executive Graeme Thomson said: : "Moving MV Glen Rosa to Inchgreen Marine Park allows us to achieve two vital strategic goals over the same time period: one focused on delivering MV Glen Rosa as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the other on preparing the yard for essential modernisation works."

The modernisation plan involves spending some of the £14.2m of investment promised by Scottish ministers more than two years ago.

The shipyard hopes to purchase a semi-automated panel line, new cutting equipment and digital management systems to improve productivity.

"We have already undertaken modest operational upgrades over the past six months and we look forward to starting further projects that will transform Ferguson Marine into a digitally enabled shipbuilding facility," Thomson said.

"This will make us more competitive, putting us in a robust position to win future work, solidifying the future of the yard and shipbuilding in Inverclyde."

The only other work the shipyard has carried out recently is a subcontracting order from BAE Systems for some small units for the Type 26 frigates being built at Govan.

The last of these units were delivered by barge last week.

The biggest union at Ferguson Marine called on the Scottish government to quickly deliver on its promise of four new directly awarded vessels contracts - two small CalMac ferries, a fisheries research ship and a marine protection vessel.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said: "The skilled workers of Ferguson's must be allowed to turn the page and begin restoring a worldwide reputation for excellence.

"Shipbuilders need ships to build and the need for the contracts promised by Scottish ministers before the election is now beyond urgent.

"The yard can secure a future as one of Scotland's most important industrial assets but further delay in delivering this promised work risks the loss of skills, experience and morale."

The Scottish government said Glen Rosa's move to Inchgreen was a "welcome next step" in delivering the vessel to island communities.

A spokesperson added: "The Scottish government is working at pace to progress the necessary due diligence, legal, commercial and subsidy control assessments required to support the proposals to directly award four new vessel contracts to Ferguson Marine.

"We are working closely and constructively with Ferguson Marine while we undertake this work.

"The upcoming period of work to modernise the yard while the Glen Rosa is off site has no impact on the timelines for this. We will keep Parliament updated on progress."

Ferguson Marine currently employs 285 staff, including 34 apprentices.

The firm, which was established in 1903, is the last commercial shipbuilder on the River Clyde and the only one on the lower stretches of the river, with the two BAE yards in Glasgow focused on naval shipbuilding.