A FOUR-MONTH delay in the delivery of the two vessels for the lifeline Scottish ferry service might as well be a year for businesses in the islands. It could mean another full summer without the ferry capacity capable of serving tourism’s full potential and pressure on freight carrying manufactured goods, livestock and food products, in turn impacting the chain. The nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard has revealed both the Glen Sannox and the other ferry, titled hull 802, will be some time later than planned, because of coronavirus pressures and a labour shortage. Ferguson Marine turnaround director Tim Hair said in his report to the Scottish Government: “Good progress has been made on the remedial work required at Ferguson, with extensive rework carried out on the vessels; remedial work on the design resulting in a ‘design freeze’; and the implementation of effective business processes.”