Swift launch of Turkish-built ferry ‘embarrassing’ for SNP

OUTER HEBRIDES islanders have received a huge boost after the first of two new vessels for a key ferry route was launched.

- By Douglas Dickie

But critics say it highlights the failure of the SNP government.

MV Lochmor, which will serve the Little Minch routes, was launched at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova, Turkey, yesterday morning.

The event took place just two-and-a-half years after the yard was awarded the contract to build the ships, with Scottish Tories saying the speed of work shames the Nats, who have presided over a fiasco in the creation of two new ferries at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.

The Glen Sannox eventually entered service on the Arran route in January this year, nearly seven years behind schedule and tens of millions of pounds over budget.

Even since January, it has been beset with problems, while its sister ship, the Glen Rosa, has yet to enter service nine years after the first steel was cut.