CMAL to Deliver New Cutting-Edge Ferry for Western Isles (UK)

The Western Isles are set to benefit from a new £41.8 million cutting-edge ferry, Transport Minister Keith Brown announced on June 8th 2012. CMAL are scheduled to deliver the new vessel in June 2014 and it will go into service shortly after this. Arrangements will be put in place to provide sufficient freight carrying capacity when MV Muirneag leaves service in October 2013.

The superior designed new vessel which is being commissioned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) will;

• Be faster, quieter and more reliable than current vessels
• Be adaptable to accommodate growth in traffic
• Consume a quarter less fuel than the consumption of the MV Isle of Lewis and MV Muirneag

Transport Minister Mr Keith Brown said:

“Today’s announcement sees a significant investment of nearly £42 million in Scotland’s ferry fleet and builds on work being driven forward to enhance and upgrade Scotland’s ferry services. The new 116m long vessel will be able to carry up to 700 passengers, 143 cars or 20 commercial vehicles and be capable of operating around the clock 24 hours a day. It will be faster, quieter and more reliable in bad weather. This greater capacity – an increase of some 20% on current car and freight capacity – can be adapted further to increase sailing capacity if demand grows on the route.The cutting edge design means the new vessel will be more fuel efficient and use a quarter less fuel than the combined fuel consumption of both vessels currently in operation. The new vessel will also incorporate new enhanced technical reliability which will allow maintenance during operation in turn minimising down time.”

Mr Brown added “Combining all of the benefits of the new vessel with the upgrades to both Stornoway and Ullapool harbours being taken forward with harbour trusts, will mean users on this vital route can soon look forward to an enhanced package of ferry facilities. To provide complete comfort, I can also assure local communities that the new vessel, which is due to take over running of freight and passenger services in 2014, will be backed up by the MV Isle of Lewis which will remain on standby following the introduction of the new vessel for the foreseeable future and until users are satisfied with the reliability and resilience of the new vessel and her operation.”

The commissioning of the new ferry, by CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd), fulfils a commitment in the Scottish Government’s draft ferries plan.

1. CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited), are taking forward delivery of the new vessel. The provision of a larger ship will also have a number of advantages, including a better operating envelope in bad weather compared to existing ships and a more fuel efficient hull and machinery.
2. The new ship will also have a combined mechanical / electrical propulsion drive system giving extensive system redundancy. This will result in enhanced technical reliability and allow maintenance work to be carried out without affecting the operation of the ship, thus minimising down time.
3. The new ship will also have a much greater capacity holding up to 700 passengers and 143 cars/20 commercial vehicles – a 20% increase in car and/or freight capacity on the existing vessel and will go 10% faster than the MV Isle of Lewis, with a service speed of 19.2 knots compared to 17.5 knots – a large increase in shipping terms.
4. Following a successful tender process CMAL has secured funding to finance the new vessel through an operating lease with Lloyds Banking Group plc.
5. CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities. In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL own 30 ferries, which are currently chartered to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
6. Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national transport agency responsible for; aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, June 11, 2012; Image: cmassets