UK’s first LNG ferry delivered

Glen Sannox has been delivered by Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) shipyard to its owner CMAL.

Launched into the Clyde in November 2017, it is the first vessel in the UK to have a dual-fuel propulsion system which can use both conventional marine gas oil or LNG.

CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said, "I’m sure many people will join us in celebrating this milestone today. It has been a long time coming, but we have now taken ownership of Glen Sannox, and are just weeks away from it entering service. This is the first of six major vessels being replaced in our fleet, with the other five well underway. We are working hard to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet and infrastructure, on behalf of communities across Scotland."

CalMac interim chief executive Duncan Mackison said, "Its arrival will benefit communities across the whole west coast ferry network, as new tonnage gives us more flexibility in how we deploy vessels. Our crew are excited to sail it and will now get to work to complete operational trials and familiarisation work in the next few weeks before it enters service for Arran."

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) interim chief executive John Petticrew said, “Today is a day to look forward. Glen Sannox is a fine vessel, well capable of providing decades of service for islanders and visitors. However, there is no doubt it’s been a long haul getting to this point, and we sympathise with ferry users who have waited so long to see this day. Looking to the future, our ability to adapt, learn from, and successfully overcome considerable challenges demonstrates the resilience and skills of our workforce, and will provide huge value as we tender for future contracts.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said, “This is an important milestone for Ferguson Marine as it delivers the first LNG dual-fuel ferry to be built in the UK. Glen Sannox will provide resilience to the fleet delivering vital lifeline services to islanders and I am encouraged the Scottish government’s wider programme to procure six new ferries by 2026 has taken another major step forward.”

Glen Sannox is capable of carrying up to 878 tonnes with a draught of 3.5 m. It has capacity for 852 passengers, 127 cars and 16 HGVs. It deploys two Wärtsilä dual-fuel main engines and two auxiliary engines, running generators. All have six cylinders.

The bridge features port and starboard wing control units offering complete control of the ship while manoeuvring into harbour. A glass floor panel allows the officers to see how close they are to the quay.

The LNG is stored at -160-170°C in a tank in the belly of the ship, and moved around in cryogenic pipes.