FINANCE Secretary Kate Forbes has insisted the decision to take the firm building two pioneering ferries for Scotland’s islands into public ownership was the correct one.

Her comments came as a report by auditors set out “a multitude of failings” in the delivery the two ferries, which are now almost four years late.

Audit Scotland’s report said the two vessels being built at Ferguson Marine will now cost at least £240 million, two-and-a-half times their original price. Construction of the dual-fuel ferries, which are meant to serve the Clyde and Hebrides, has been plagued with setbacks since they were first ordered in 2015.

The shipyard in Port Glasgow was taken over by the Government in 2019, but the auditors say “significant operational failures” at the yard remain unresolved.

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In February this year, MSPs were told the vessels – known as 801 and 802 – needed further remedial work as cables which had been fitted originally were not long enough.

Prior to this, steelwork and pipework on the vessels was found to be behind schedule.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “The failure to deliver these two ferries, on time and on budget, exposes a multitude of failings. A lack of transparent decision-making, a lack of project oversight and no clear understanding of what significant sums of public money have achieved.

“And, crucially, communities still don’t have the lifeline ferries they were promised years ago.”

Forbes said: “Not only did our efforts save the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde from closure, we directly rescued more than 300 jobs and ensured that the two vessels – which are vital for our island communities – will be delivered.

“There is no doubt that getting the vessels completed has been extremely challenging but let me be absolutely clear, these vessels must be delivered as soon as possible.

“There can be no ifs or buts when it comes to lifeline services for our island communities.”