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Glen Sannox ferry out of action again with engine issue

Christopher Brindle A black and white ship with red funnelsChristopher Brindle
MV Glen Sannox has been sailing on the Arran route since January last year

CalMac's troubled Glen Sannox ferry has been taken out of action again with ongoing problems with its engine.

The vessel, which sails on the busy Troon to Arran crossing, only returned to service last week following previous repairs to its exhaust system.

CalMac said there was an "recurring technical issue" with the port engine fuel pump, and suspended sailings until at least 13:00 on Tuesday.

The operator has faced pressure across its west of Scotland network in recent weeks, with many ferries under maintenance and others facing unplanned repairs.

MV Glen Sannox, which launched 15 months ago, also needs new propellers as part of £3.2m repair costs along with its sister ship Glen Rosa.

Christopher Brindle A red and white catamaran ferry with Pentland Ferries and written on the sideChristopher Brindle
The chartered catamaran MV Alfred is returning to the Isle of Arran service

CalMac had been planning to reposition Glen Sannox later this week to restore sailings between Barra and Oban.

The chartered catamaran MV Alfred is expected back from overhaul to pick up the Troon to Arran route on Wednesday.

The state-owned operator said last month that there was an "unprecedented" shortage of vessels due to technical faults.

CalMac has been forced to reposition multiple vessels on its island routes and said plans were "under constant review".

Glen Sannox began serving the Isle of Arran in January 2025, seven years late and four times over budget.

The 336ft (102m) vessel, with space for 127 cars and 852 passengers, was the first major new ferry to join the CalMac fleet in a decade.