Port of Troon Boosts Ferry Service Dependability with ABP’s Fully Funded Linkspan Refurbishment

Port of Troon’s East Pier. Photo credit: Airborne Lens

(IN BRIEF) Associated British Ports (ABP) has completed a £200,000 upgrade to the East Pier Linkspan at the Port of Troon, reinforcing the reliability of ferry services to the Isle of Arran. The fully ABP-funded project involved refurbishing the linkspan’s hydraulic cylinders — essential for safe vehicle and passenger loading — and was completed in just seven days without interrupting ferry schedules. The investment builds on ABP’s previous £6 million enhancements to Troon’s terminal facilities, ensuring readiness for CalMac’s new vessels Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa. With a low 2% cancellation rate and over 90,000 passengers served in 2024, ABP continues to strengthen island transport links and support local communities.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 29-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Associated British Ports (ABP) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting island connectivity and reliable ferry travel with a £200,000 upgrade to the East Pier Linkspan at the Port of Troon. The project, fully funded by ABP and delivered without any cost to the Scottish taxpayer, enhances the long-term reliability of the vital ferry connection to the Isle of Arran.

The investment focused on refurbishing the linkspan’s main hydraulic lifting cylinders, critical infrastructure that allows passengers and vehicles to board ferries safely. To ensure uninterrupted service, ABP coordinated the work with Laing Marine and ferry operator CalMac, completing the upgrade within a tight seven-day schedule. The careful timing and efficient execution meant the project was completed on deadline — without any ferry cancellations.

“This upgrade highlights ABP’s responsibility to maintain the essential transport links that island communities depend on,” said Bryan Davies, Divisional Port Manager at ABP. “Our teams and partners worked tirelessly to deliver the project on time and to a high standard. We’re proud to keep services running smoothly and to support key community events like the Arran Food Festival and the Brodick Highland Games, which are important for local tourism and the island’s economy.”

The Port of Troon has become an increasingly vital connection to Arran, particularly as uncertainty continues over the future of the Ardrossan terminal. In 2024, Troon handled over 90,000 passengers, 31,000 cars, and more than 1,200 commercial vehicles, while maintaining an impressively low 2% cancellation rate.

This latest project follows ABP’s previous £6 million investment in Troon’s East Pier Ferry Terminal, which delivered a new passenger terminal and improved car parking facilities. With these upgrades, Troon is now fully equipped to handle CalMac’s new ferries Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa without requiring further public investment.

Through continued investment in Troon and across its UK network, ABP demonstrates its commitment to maintaining critical port infrastructure, ensuring operational reliability, and sustaining the economic lifelines that connect communities across the country.

Media Contact:

Tim Morris
Head of Corporate Communications
tim.morris@abports.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0)7850 501 903

Pressiana Naydenova
Corporate Communications Manager
pressiana.naydenova@abports.co.uk
07702900830

SOURCE: Associated British Ports