MV GLEN Sannox has taken a huge step towards entering service as Arran's new ferry.
Shipyard Ferguson Marine successfully completed the process of bunkering liquefied natural gas (LNG) onto the new vessel - marking a first for shipbuilding in the UK.
Following four and a half days of cooling the LNG tank to the required temperature of minus 146 degrees using liquefied nitrogen, the fuel was successfully bunkered onto the vessel ahead of the next phase of testing.
Known as ‘load testing,’ this process involves switching all engines on to ensure they are operating efficiently and to establish the vessel’s propulsion set capabilities.
All systems will undergo rigorous testing quayside before MV Glen Sannox goes out to sea for two to three days from Friday, September 20, to evaluate the vessel’s manoeuvrability, acceleration and speed.
Owner’s trials with Caledonian Marine Assets Ltd (CMAL) will follow.
Andrew Milligan, head of engineering at Ferguson Marine, said: “The successful LNG bunkering is a highly significant milestone as it’s the first time it has ever been done in the UK.
“It was a complicated process which required significant safety protocols to be put in place.
"We experienced some unexpected challenges around this process and, unfortunately it has had a knock-on effect to the handover schedule.
READ MORE: Another delay announced for new Arran ferry
"I’m personally very disappointed about that. However, it is important to recognise the significance of what we have achieved.
"Glen Sannox is a first-in-class vessel, and we are breaking new ground in shipbuilding with this LNG fuel technology.
“The ability to adapt, learn from, and successfully deal with these challenges demonstrates the hard work being done by everyone at FMPG.
“I wish to extend my thanks to everyone at the yard and our colleagues at CMAL and CalMac for all their hard work in achieving this major step as we push towards delivering MV Glen Sannox.”
LNG, seen as a far more environmentally friendly system, had been blamed, in part, for the delays to the long awaited Glen Sannox and its sister ship Glen Rosa, which will also serve Arran
Both ferries are designed to run on both traditional marine gas oil and LNG - becoming the first built in the UK to do so.
The two ferries remain six years behind schedule. Current cost estimates for Glen Sannox are between £145.5 million and £149.1m and it is hoped the cost for Glen Rosa will be kept below £150m.
The total bill will be three times the original £97 million price tag.
And the vessels will be unable to serve the main Brodick route due to the deterioration of Ardrossan harbour, owned by Peel Ports.
Instead, they will sail from Troon harbour, which means a lengthier journey for travellers.
Despite earlier promises, the Scottish Government have yet to confirm if the Ardrossan harbour upgrade will be approved, following a cost review.
Read the rules here