CalMac’s chief executive has hailed the MV Glen Sannox as a “great step forward” for the people of Arran and its visitors.
On Monday, January 13, the MV Glen Sannox entered service with the Clyde and Hebridean ferry operator on the Arran service seven years after it was launched.
Along with its sister ship, the MV Glen Rosa, the vessel has been at the heart of Scotland’s ferry fiasco which has seen delays and soaring costs.
MV Glen Sannox is the first dual fuel vessel to be built in the UK and it is the second largest and the most complex vessel ever built for CalMac.
In an exclusive interview with Ayrshire Live, CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison welcomed the MV Glen Sannox into service and thanked the people of Arran who have had to wait over 30 years for a new, purpose-built ferry.
Speaking aboard the MV Glen Sannox, Mr Mackison said: “It means that the people of Arran have got a fantastic, modern, powerful vessel with lots of capacity and it will bring lots of resilience.
“It will improve the service and it will be a welcome break and a huge relief to many of them I’m sure.
“Our message to the people of Arran is thank you for bearing with us. We know it has not been easy. There will be trials ahead still I’m sure, but this is the beginning of new times to come.
“This is a great step forward today for Arran and all its visitors.”
The MV Glen Sannox is 102m long and can carry up to 852 passengers plus at least 127 cars or 16 heavy goods vehicles, or a combination of both.
It is set to make three return sailings daily between Brodick and Troon for the foreseeable future as upgrades to Ardrossan Harbour have yet to be agreed.
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