The new dual-fuel ferry destined for the Ardrossan to Arran service won't be ready until 2022 at the earliest.
Economy Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, confirmed that the Glen Sannox would be completed a minimum of four years late - with it originally planned for delivery in 2018.
This month, the vessel entered dry dock in Greenock where 42 tonnes of mussels were removed from the hull.
COVID-19 delays have cost the project £3.3million, but won't be treated as part of the main bill instead being treated as an exceptional item.
The delay means the two ferries currently serving the route, MV Caledonian Isles and Isle of Arran, will be 29 and 39 years old respectively by the time they are replaced, despite having life expectancies of 25 years.
West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said that residents in Ardrossan and Arran have been let down by the SNP’s botched leadership of this flagship project, whilst businesses on both shores had effectively been throw to the wolves over the failure to deliver a reliable ferry network.
Jamie Greene MSP said: “It is frankly astonishing and completely unacceptable that the new Arran ferry won’t be delivered until 2022 at the earliest and at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was delayed even further.
“The SNP government has let down North Ayrshire and many coastal communities over its botched project management which nearly collapsed our entire shipbuilding industry."
READ MORE: New Arran ferry’s bulbous bow replaced in £400k dry dock repairs
Ms Hyslop revealed the new schedule as she briefed the Scottish Parliament on the latest regarding Ferguson Marine.
She said: “This has been a hugely challenging year for the business, in line with much economic activity across Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has essentially closed the yard for six months. Despite this interruption to business much has been achieved.”
Ms Hyslop praised workers at the yard and the turnaround director, noting the major works completed during the Glen Sannox’s dry dock, including the removal and replacement of the boats bulbous bow.
READ MORE: Inaccurate reports of ferry berth moving from Ardrossan to Troon branded 'mischief making'
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