News

Le leasachaidhean ùra anns na planaichean airson an obair aig calaichean Port Ilean agus Ceann na Creige, tha Stòras Mara Cailleannach Eta (SMCE) gu bhidh a’ cumail coinnmhean phoblach tron t-seachdainn a’ tòiseachadh 9mh den Lùnasdal 2010 aig Port Ilean agus an Tairbeart airson fiosrachadh a thoirt seachad air na pròiseactan a chruthaicheas goireasan nas fheàrr airson an t-soithich ùr, MV Finlaggan.

Ged a bhathar an dùil gun tòiseachadh na h-obair aig Port Ilean aig deireadh na Foghair 2010, tha seo a-nis air a chuir air ais gus t-Earrach 2011 le clàr-obrach a mhaireas naoi mìosan. Tha an dàil seo air sgàths gu bheil e air nochdadh tron cheum-dhealbhaidh gu bheil feum air obair a bhàrrachd. Fanaidh cala Phort Ilean fosgailte gus t-Earrach 2010, nuair a dhùnas e gu trafaig na h-aisig fhads a tha na h-obair a’ dol air adhart. Cleachdaidh na h-aisigean Port Asgaig tron ghreis seo.

A bhàrrachd air seo, tha obair cuideachd ri dhèanamh ris a’ chala aig Ceann na Creige agus a chionns nach bidh I cho doirbh ris a’ phròiseact aig Port Ilean tha SMCE am beachd tòiseachadh ’san Fhaoilleach 2011 airson trì mìosan. Fanaidh Ceann na Creige fosgailte agus nithear na h-obair timcheall air na seirbhisean aisig.

Thuirt Ceannard SMCE Guy Platten: “Nuair a bhios iad deiseal, bidh goireasan-aisig aig Port Ilean agus Ceann na Creige a bhios freagarrach airson MV Finlaggan. Fhads a bhios Port Ilean dùinte, bidh Port Asgaig gu buileach gnìomhach agus a’ toirt seachad seirbhis air leth do luchd-siubhal. Chaneil sinn am beachd gum bidh duilgheadas sam bith ann do luchd-siubhal aig Ceann na Creige.”

Tha SMCE air £2m a chosg am bliadhna air obair-leasachaidh, a’ toirt a-staigh bàta bàthte a ghluasad bho chala Ceann na Creige agus obair-chàraidh air ballaichean chìdhe agus alt-aiseig aig Port Ilean.

 

FIOS AIRSON LUCHD-DEASACHAIDH

• Tha seilbh aig SMCE air togalaich aig cidhichean agus calaidhean ann am bàrrachd na 24 àite air feadh Alba. Tha iad an-dràsta an sàs ann an leasachadh a chruthachas goireasan nas fheàrr.

• A bhàrrachd air na goireasan a tha aca aig cidhichean agus calaidhean, tha cuideachd 31 bàt-aiseig aig SMCE a tha iad a’ cuir a-mach air màl gu aiseagan Cal-Mac Earr. agus aiseagan Cowal Earr.

• ‘S ann aig a’ phoball a tha seilbh air SMCE le ministearan na h-Alba a-mhàin nan luchd-earrann.

Cuir fios gu:
Elise Clayton / Jonathan Murray
Golley Slater
Fòn: 0131 272 2733
Post-D: elise.clayton@golleyslater.co.uk / jonathan.murray@golleyslater.co.uk

19mh an t-Iuchair 2010

The Stòras Mara Cailleannach Eta (SMCE) a’ deasachadh airson soitheach ùr chudromach a chuir ris a’ chabhlach aca an ath-sheachdainn (Diciadain 30mh An t-Òg Mhìos) ann an Gdansk. Tha seo a’ leantainn phròiseact luach £24m airson soitheach ùr a thogail a bheir seirbheis do na coimhearsnachan air an t-slighe eadar Ceann na Creige agus Ìle.

Thèid MV Finlaggan, anns a bheil faide 90m, a cuir air bhog an comhair a taoibh an dèidh cuirm goirid agus port no dhà bho còmhlan-phìob Gdansk. Tha ‘The Vintage Malt Whisky Company’ air uisge-beatha le bileag àirid a dhèanamh airson an tachartas a chomharrachadh, agus thèid botal dhe seo a bhriseadh air taobh na soitheich airson a cuir air bhog gu h-oifigeil.

Tha SMCE a’ cur an seilbh airgead mòr anns a’ phròiseact seo, luach £24m, mar phàirt den ghealltanas leantainneach aca aisigean a thoirt seachad a tha ùr, math air connadh agus nas saoire an ruith. Thòisich a’ phròiseact ann an 2007 nuair a chaidh an cùmhnant a thoirt do sàr ghàrradh-iarainn Eòrpach Remontowa ann an Gdansk ‘sa Phòlainn. Thathar an dùil gun tig a’ phròiseact gu crìch nas luaithe, agus aig prìs nas ìsle, na bhathar an dùil.

Se aisig-dhaoine ro-ro clas B Eòrpach a tha anns an t-soitheach ùr le comas 550 neach agus 85 càr a ghiùlain a bhàrrachd air busaichean agus carbadan malairteach. Tha seo a’ ciallachadh gun gabh an aisig ùr 22% a bhàrrachd neach-siubhail agus 11% a bhàrrachd de chàraichean na ghabhas an giùlain an-dràsta.

Aon uair’s gu bheil I deiseal bidh trì bùird-luinge ann don luchd-siubhail, seòmar-seallaidh, seòmar-sàmhach le sèithrichean-sìnidh, taigh-bìdhe, bùth, àite-cluiche chloinne, dà bhòrd-luinge le sèithrichean a-muigh agus dà àrdaichear airson daoine ciorramach leis a’ chomas a h-uile bòrd-luinge a’ ruigsinn.

Anns na mìosan a tha romhainn thèid na h-einseannan an cuir an òrdugh agus thèid an t-soitheach a’ sgeadachadh mus tèid I a’ cuir tro na deuchainean mara aice. Bidh an t-soitheach deiseal as t-earrach 2011.

Chaidh an t-ainm Finlaggan a thaghadh an dèidh co-fhairpis a’ ruith SMCE an-uiridh. Làrach eachdraidheal aig teas-mheadhain Rìoghachd nan Eilean, bhuanaich Finlaggan a’ cho-fhairpis le 70% de na bhòtaichean. Siubhlaidh dithis a ghabh pàirt anns a’ cho-fhairpis, Alison Bell à Inbhir Nis agus Màiri NicRath à Ìle, gu Gdansk airson an aisig fhaicinn ga cuir air bhog.

Bidh bhìdeo den tachartas ri fhaicinn air làrach-lìn SMCE (www.cmassets.co.uk) goirid an dèidh dha gabhail àite, rud a thachras aig 2f anns a’ Phòlainn (1f BST).

Ag aithris air cuir air bhog MV Finlaggan, thuirt Grenville MacIain, Cathraiche SMCE: “Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ris a’ chuir air bhog oifigeil agus tha e sgoinneil gum bidh an fheadhainn a chuidich an t-ainm a thoirt dhan t-soithich còmhla rinn.

Tha MV Finlaggan a’ cuir ris ar cabhlach gu mòr agus bidh I a’ toirt seirbheis do na coimhearsneachdan againn airson na bliadhnaichean ri teachd. Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri fàilte a chuir orra ann an Alba an ath-bhliadhna.”

Thuirt Guy Platten, Ceannard SMCE: “Bheir seo gu ceann trì bliadhna de dh’obair chruaidh bho luchd-obrach SMCE agus ar com-pàirtichean anns a’ Phòlainn.

Tha a’ phròiseact seo a’ sealltainn cho dìleas sat tha sinn aisigean ùra a thoirt seachad gu sgìrean iomalach agus eileanach, agus tha sinn an dòchas gun tèid a h-uile duine air-loidhne airson MV Finlaggan threun fhaicinn a’ bualadh an t-uisge.”

Thuirt Stiùbhart MacStèafan, Ministear airson Còmhdhail: “Tha cuir air bhog MV Finlaggan air leth cudthromach airson mòran an sàs anns a’ phròiseact seo agus dhaibhsan a gheibh buanachd as. Tha an t-airgead a tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air a chur an seilbh tro SMCE a’ ciallachadh gum bidh aisig ùr a’ dol a dh’Ìle airson a’ chiad turas ann an 40 bliadhna agus tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ris a’ chiad turas aice an ath-bhliadhna.”

 

FIOS AIRSON LUCHD-DEASACHAIDH

• Tha seilbh aig SMCE air togalaich aig cidhichean agus calaidhean ann am bàrrachd na 24 àite air feadh Alba. Tha iad an-dràsta an sàs ann an leasachadh a chruthachas goireasan nas fheàrr.

• A bhàrrachd air na goireasan a tha aca aig cidhichean agus calaidhean, tha cuideachd 31 bàt-aiseig aig SMCE a tha iad a’ cuir a-mach air màl gu aiseagan Cal-Mac Earr. agus aiseagan Cowal Earr.

• ‘S ann aig a’ phoball a tha seilbh air SMCE le ministearan na h-Alba a-mhàin nan luchd-earrann.

• Dh’fhoillsich SMCE an iarratas airson an aisig anns an t-Samhainn 2007 an dèidh gàradh-iarrain Remontowa a’ chùmhnant fhaighinn.

•Chaidh ‘The Vintage Malt Whisky Company’ a’ stèidheachadh ann an 1992 le Brian Cook, fear le ceum le urram ann an Saidheans-bìdhe agus 20 bliadhna de dh’eòlas ann an gniomhachais an uisge beatha. Is ann leis a’ chompanaidh a tha Finlaggan, uisge-beatha à Ìle. Tha e air a chumail dìomhair gu dè an taigh-stail a tha ga dhèanamh gun fhios ach aig duine no dithis. Airson tuilleadh fiosrachadh tadhail air:
www.vintagemaltwhisky.com

Cuir fios gu:
Elise Clayton / Jonathan Murray
Golley Slater
Fòn: 0131 272 2733
Post-D: elise.clayton@golleyslater.co.uk / jonathan.murray@golleyslater.co.uk

24mh An t-Óg Mhíos 2010

The operation to remove the sunken barge near the entrance to Kennacraig Harbour has been successfully completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

CMAL employed marine contractors Herbosch-Kiere who used their large working barge, Waasland, to excavate and remove the old Thames barge which sunk in the 1970’s.

Project managed by consultant engineers Halcrow, the project was vital to allow the new CMAL ferry currently being built in Poland, MV Finlaggan, to berth at Kennacraig next spring.

With no disruption to ferry services, the work was carried out during the day using an 85 tonne excavator and a 325 tonne crane. The old sunken barge was successfully removed from the seabed adjacent to the linkspan berth with the steel then broken up and sent for recycling.

CMAL Director of Harbour and Piers, Lorna Spencer, said: "The successful operation to remove the sunken barge was essential to allowing safe berthing of our new larger ferry, the MV Finlaggan, which will bring great benefits to all who use her. We now look forward to the launch of this new modern, fit for purpose ferry at the Remontowa Yard in Gdansk, Poland at the end of June."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• This was a CMAL project managed by consultant engineers Halcrow

• The Waasland barge was towed from Antwerp by marine contractors Herbosch-Kiere and used an 85 tonne 360 degree excavator and a 325 tonne crawler crane to aid the removal of the sunken barge.

• The removal of the sunken barge, which lies at the entrance of Kennacraig Harbour, was essential for the new ferry MV Finlaggan to berth at the pier.

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.

• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

For further information please contact:

Elise Clayton
Account Manager
Golley Slater
Tel: 0131 272 2733
Email: elise.clayton @golleyslater.co.uk

17th June 2010

Following the publication of the Ferries Review Consultation Document by the Scottish Government on 10 June 2010, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is looking forward to working with the Government and all stakeholder groups to provide the very best ferry service to communities throughout Scotland.

The consultation is now running and is due for completion in September 2010. During the consultation period, CMAL is urging all interested parties to take part and contribute to the debate on the future of Scotland’s ferry service.

Full details of the review and consultation can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/Review

15th June 2010

 

Travellers using Kennacraig Ferry Terminal will soon see a new sight in the waters as work gets underway to remove a sunken barge near the ferry berth.

Marine contractors Herbosch-Kiere will be using a large working barge, Waasland, to excavate and remove the old Thames barge which sank in the 1970’s.

Project managed by consultant engineers Halcrow, the five week project will get underway at the beginning of May.

The project is vital to allow the new CMAL ferry currently being built in Poland, MV Finlaggan, to berth at Kennacraig next Spring.

The work will be carried out during the day using an 85 tonne excavator and a 325 tonne crane. There will be no disruption to ferry services.

CMAL Director of Harbour and Piers, Lorna Spencer, said:” The sunken barge has been lying in Kennacraig Harbour since the 70’s and must be removed to allow safe berthing of our new larger ferry, the MV Finlaggan. All consents are in place and the old barge will be broken up and disposed in an appropriate way.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• This is a CMAL project which is being managed by consultant engineers Halcrow.

• The Waasland barge is being towed from Antwerp by marine contractors Herbosch-Kiere and will use an 85 tonne 360 degree excavator and a 325 tonne crawler crane to aid the removal of the sunken barge.

• The removal of the sunken barge, which lies in Kennacraig Harbour, is essential for the new ferry MV Finlaggan to berth at the pier.

• Two pictures are attached; the first shows the sunken barge to the right of the pier at Kennacraig, the second shows the Waasland working barge on the Clyde.

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.

• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

www.cmassets.co.uk For further information please contact CMAL on 01475 749920 or email info@cmassets.co.uk 22nd APRIL 2010

22nd April 2010

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is to continue work which could see the MV Finlaggan, bound for  Islay next spring, berth at Port Ellen. The new ferry, currently under construction in Poland, will be accommodated at Kennacraig and Port Askaig. However plans are being developed to rebuild the pier at Port Ellen and carry out fendering works during this financial year (2010-2011) at a cost of £4M. Engineers at CMAL have been working hard to see what modifications can be made to the planned infrastructure improvements and are now confident that latest designs will enable the new ferry to also be accommodated at Port Ellen.  Work at Port Ellen already this year has included repairs to the quay wall and linkspan refurbishment works totalling just under £500,000. CMAL are  holding further public meetings to discuss the planned works at Port Ellen and Kennacraig Ferry Terminals in the next few weeks. Members of the public who are interested in the projects but who missed the talks held earlier in the month are invited to attend these second opportunity meetings at Templar Hall at Tarbert, Loch Fyne on Tuesday 27th April at 7pm and another meeting, also at 7pm, at Ramsay Hall at Port Ellen on Thursday 29th April for an update on work planned for 2010.

19th April 2010

CMAL are holding further public meetings to discuss the planned works at Port Ellen and Kennacraig Ferry Terminals.

The meetings will be an opportunity for those interested in the progress of the projects but who missed the talks held earlier in the month to hear about the works that will commence in 2010, including infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and works to accommodate the new ferry at Kennacraig, as well as an update of the current status of the long term redevelopment plans.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting at Templar Hall at Tarbert, Loch Fyne on Tuesday 27th April at 7pm and another meeting, also at 7pm, at Ramsay Hall at Port Ellen on Thursday 29th April.

The Port Ellen works to the pier are considered essential to safely maintain the ongoing use of the ferry terminal and have been designed to ensure continued supply of grain for the island’s whisky industry.

The Kennacraig works will involve the removal of a sunken barge adjacent to the pier, which will allow the new ferry, currently being built in Poland, MV Finlaggan, to be accommodated.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting at Templar Hall at Tarbert, Loch Fyne on Tuesday 27th April at 7pm and another meeting, also at 7pm, at Ramsay Hall at Port Ellen on Thursday 29th April.

• The meetings will be a repeat of the talks given by CMAL at the beginning of April, including another showing of the presentations, for those who were unable to attend the original meetings.

• Plans to rebuild the pier at Port Ellen and carry out fendering works during the next financial year (2010-2011) are estimated at £3.4M. Recent repairs to the quay wall were carried out at a cost of £300,000 and linkspan refurbishment works are currently underway at a cost of £180,000.

• The cost to remove the sunken barge at the entrance to Kennacraig Harbour is estimated at £1.5M.

• The new Islay ferry, MV Finlaggan, will be accommodated at Kennacraig and will serve Port Askaig.

• Argyll and Bute Council, the owners of Port Askaig, have advised that some modifications will be made at Port Askaig this summer to enable the new ferry to be accommodated here when she comes into service next Spring.

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.

• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

www.cmassets.co.uk For further information please contact Lorna Spencer – Director of Harbours & Piers on 01475 749934 or email lorna.spencer@cmassets.co.uk 16th APRIL 2010

16th April 2010

Work is progressing well ahead of the launch this summer.

12th April 2010

It’s been confirmed that funding will be made available to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) to assist the progression of initial infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and enable the new Islay ferry to be accommodated at Kennacraig, after the Scottish Parliament passed the Government’s 2010 Budget Bill.

Business cases for infrastructure improvements to Port Ellen and Kennacraig were presented to The Scottish Government in March 2009 with a variety of options recommended as minimum and maximum work plans.

£3.4M is now being made available for CMAL to rebuild the pier and carry out fendering works at Port Ellen.

CMAL is already carrying out a refurbishment of the existing linkspan at Port Ellen, which began on February 15th, comprising of steelwork repairs, raising the level of the linkspan, as well as an extensive mechanical overhaul and lifting rope replacement along with painting.

Construction of a new quay wall at Port Ellen, used by the local fishing fleet, was successfully completed on time and within budget in January 2010, and is already in full use.

Meanwhile approximately £1.5M will be set aside for the removal of a sunken barge at the entrance to Kennacraig Harbour, work which is expected to get underway this summer.

As a result of a berthing incident with the Isle of Arran earlier this month, substantial damage occurred to the port infrastructure at Kennacraig. CMAL and CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) have worked together in partnership to effect immediate repairs.

Subject to this and some minor modifications, the new £24.5M Islay ferry, MV Finlaggan, will be able to use the existing pier at Kennacraig when she comes into service next Spring and will serve Port Askaig. One of the existing vessels will continue to serve Port Ellen.

The CMAL ports and harbours team with CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) are planning to hold public meetings in Port Ellen week commencing 5th April to update local people and businesses on their plans for the future. More details and confirmation of the dates of these meetings will be published shortly.

Lorna Spencer, Director of Harbours and Piers, said:” In recent months, detailed design work and ground investigations have continued on our plans for infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and Kennacraig so these projects could be launched quickly should funding become available. This work will prove of value to CMAL should further funding become available in the future.”

CMAL Chief Executive, Guy Platten, said:”Our role at CMAL is to provide, safeguard and develop the infrastructure vital for lifeline ferry services therefore we must always be looking to the long-term future, and getting the most out of any expenditure on infrastructure. The full redevelopment of Port Ellen and Kennacraig will remain key priorities for CMAL and will be taken forward when the necessary funds become available.”

Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister, said:“This considerable investment will ensure services to Port Ellen are safeguarded at a time of great economic pressure when difficult spending decisions are having to be made. The Scottish Government is demonstrating its commitment to the people of Islay by providing these funds which, supported by investments by CMAL, will allow the new £24.5M Islay ferry to use the existing pier at Kennacraig when she comes into service and maintain lifeline services to Islay's two ports."

NOTES TO EDITORS
• The full redevelopment of Port Ellen and Kennacraig was outlined in the business cases at a cost of £16M and £17.8M respectively and cannot be undertaken at this time due to the current financial climate and pressure on public funds.

• Plans to rebuild the pier at Port Ellen and carry out fendering works during the next financial year (2010-2011) are estimated at £3.4M. Recent repairs to the quay wall were carried out at a cost of £300,000 and linkspan refurbishment works are currently underway at a cost of £180,000.

• The cost to remove the sunken barge at the entrance to Kennacraig Harbour is estimated at £1.5M.

• The new Islay ferry, MV Finlaggan, will be accommodated at Kennacraig and will serve Port Askaig.

• Argyll and Bute Council, the owners of Port Askaig, have advised that some modifications will be made at Port Askaig this summer to enable the new ferry to be accommodated here when she comes into service next Spring.

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.

• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

www.cmassets.co.uk

For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or email info@cmassets.co.uk

24th FEBRUARY 2010

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd is to carry out a refurbishment of the existing linkspan at Port Ellen later this month.

The work will get underway in the next couple of weeks as CalMac (CFL) will already be operating a reduced service during February due to a vessel refit.

CMAL has taken this opportunity to refurbish the linkspan during this period in a bid to minimise disruption for passengers with the ferry using a fixed ramp for the duration of the works.

The refurbishment will comprise of steelwork repairs, raising the level of the linkspan, as well as an extensive mechanical overhaul and lifting rope replacement  along with painting.

The linkspan will be lifted from its current location for the works, scheduled from 15th February – 9th  March 2010.  

We have consulted with Diageo who have programmed grain deliveries around these dates to minimise resulting ferry diversions to Port Askaig.  CFL will also alert passengers should severe weather result in further diversions to Port Askaig. Please contact CFL for further information on timetables during this period. 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Work on site to refurbish the linkspan at Port Ellen will be undertaken by George Leslie Ltd and Napier Bros Ltd. 
• The works have been scheduled to run from 15th February – 9th  March 2010.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder. 

www.cmassets.co.uk

For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or emailinfo@cmassets.co.uk

9th  FEBRUARY 2010

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is to hold a public meeting to keep islanders up to date with the proposed Brodick Ferry Terminal Repair Works.

The works to the pier and linkspan area, due to begin in March, are essential to safely maintain the ongoing use of the ferry terminal.

In order to minimise the disruption to the lifeline ferry service between Brodick and Ardrossan, and to ensure the safety of the workforce, a large proportion of the works will be undertaken during the night.

A meeting will be held at Brodick Public Hall at 6.30pm on Monday 22nd February 2010 so the ports and harbours team can provide more information on the nature of the works.

They will also reassure villagers regarding the noise and light mitigation measures to be implemented, following extensive consultations with North Ayrshire Council’s Environmental Health Department.

The repairs have been designed by Halcrow Group who will also be overseeing the site works, which will be undertaken by contractor McLaughlin & Harvey over a 17 week period. 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The public meeting will be held at Brodick Public Hall from 6.30pm – 8pm on Monday 22nd February.
• Essential repair works at Brodick Ferry Terminal will be undertaken by contractor McLaughlin & Harvey.
• The works have been scheduled to run from over a 17 week period beginning March 2010.
• Repairs have been designed by Halcrow Group who will oversee the site works.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

www.cmassets.co.uk

For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or emailinfo@cmassets.co.uk

9th  FEBRUARY 2010

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has announced that the first new ferry to be introduced to the Islay route in almost 40 years will be named FINLAGGAN
(Fionn Lagan). Click HERE to view an artists impression of the new ferry.

Almost 900 votes were received in the four-week public vote with the winning name FINLAGGAN (Fionn Lagan) receiving more than 70 percent of the vote.

The other shortlisted names were:

• LOCHIEL     Loch Iall
• PIONEER    Treòraiche 
•  GLENDALEGleann Dail       

Voting began on Monday 19th October and closed at midday on Monday 16th November. Members of the public could vote online on CMAL’s website or post their entry directly to CMAL.

The two lucky winners, chosen at random, who voted for the winning name were Ms. Alison Bell and Mrs M. McRae who will both be special guests at the ferry’s launch in Poland next year. Further details will be available on the CMAL website www.cmassets.co.uk in the near future.

The new Islay ferry will be the first new ship to serve the route in 37 years and marks a major investment in vessels from CMAL.

CMAL Chairman Grenville Johnston said:”This is a first class name for a first class ferry, as chosen by the people of Scotland. We look forward to the launch of the new ship in Poland next year, then welcoming FINLAGGAN to Islay in 2011, a worthy addition to the fleet.”

Guy Platten, CMAL Chief Executive, added: “Construction of this new ferry is progressing well with more than 40 percent of steelwork now complete and machinery ordered. We would like to thank all those members of the public who took the time to contribute to the choosing of the new name, a departure from what has happened in the past . We look forward to joining with our two lucky winners in Poland next summer.”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The name FINLAGGAN comes from an historic site on Islay but also has wider connotations as the seat of the Lord of the Isles.
• The four shortlisted names were chosen for their association with Islay and all are currently available on the UK Ship Register.
• The contract to build the new passenger and vehicle ferry to serve the Islay route was won by Remontowa yard in Gdansk, Poland at the end of 2007 as part of the £24.5M project.
• As work progresses CMAL staff will be attending equipment factory acceptance tests, dock trials and finally sea trials with the ferry scheduled to arrive in the spring of 2011. 
• There will be an official launch of the ship in Gdansk next summer which will be attended by two lucky competition winners, chosen at random, who both voted for the chosen name.  The ship will have a proper naming and commissioning ceremony once she arrives in Scotland
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

www.cmassets.co.uk
For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or emailinfo@cmassets.co.uk

30th NOVEMBER 2009

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has published it’s draft Gaelic Language Plan for 2010-2015 and is now looking for feedback from the public.

Following the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the plan sets out how CMAL will use Gaelic in the operation of its functions, how staff will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with the public and key partners, and how the company overall will promote and develop Gaelic, contributing to Scotland’s diverse culture.

The draft plan and details of the consultation process are now available to view HERE (PDF) and those who wish to respond, can do so by filling out an on-line feedback form HERE.

CMAL are seeking as many responses as possible in order to produce a final plan which reflects the aspirations of the communities served by CMAL.

Chairman of CMAL, Grenville Johnston, commented:”We appreciate the support that Bòrd na Gàidhlig has been given us to implement our plan and we look forward to enhancing our services for Gaelic users and to raise the profile of Gaelic as a recognised language.”
 
NOTES TO EDITORS

• CMAL’s draft Gaelic Language Plan 2010-2015 is available to view on their website www.cmassets.co.uk
• An online feedback form is also available to submit responses to the plan on the CMAL website
• The consultation period will close at 12 noon on 29th November 2009.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder

For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or email info@cmassets.co.uk

www.cmassets.co.uk

28th OCTOBER 2009

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is launching a competition which will allow the public to pick the name of the new ferry being built for the Islay route.

The new Islay ferry will be the first new ship to serve the route in thirty-seven years and marks a major investment in vessels from CMAL.

Following consultation, CMAL intend to offer the public a vote from four shortlisted names:

1. FINLAGGAN Fionn Lagan
2. GLENDALE Gleann Dail
3. LOCHIEL Loch Iall
4. PIONEER Treòraiche

To register their preference, entrants can either write to CMAL or go on-line to www.cmassets.co.uk to vote. Voting will begin at 10am on Monday 19 October and closes at midday on Monday 16 November. The winning name will be announced on St Andrew's Day, Monday 30 November 2009.

A team from the Vessels Department at CMAL will be in Islay on Tuesday 20 October at the Bowmore Hall to update members of the public on the ferry's progress from 4.30pm-7.30pm.

Two lucky winners who vote for the most popular name will be chosen at random to be special guests at the ferry's launch in Poland next year.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Voting begins at 10am on Monday 19 October and will close at midday on Monday 16 November. The winning name will be announced on St Andrew's Day, Monday 30 November 2009.

Those wishing to take part in the competition can either write to CMAL or enter on-line at www.cmassets.co.uk

The four shortlisted names were chosen for their association with Islay and all are currently available on the UK Ship Register.

The contract to build the new passenger and vehicle ferry to serve the Islay route was won by Remontowa yard in Gdansk, Poland, at the end of 2007 as part of the £24.5M project.

As work progresses, CMAL staff will be attending equipment factory acceptance tests, dock trials and finally sea trials with the ferry scheduled to arrive in the spring of 2011.

There will be an official launch of the ship in Gdansk next summer which will be attended by two lucky competition winners, chosen at random, who both voted for the chosen name. The ship will have a proper naming and commissioning ceremony once she arrives in Scotland.

CMAL owns property at piers and harbours at more than twenty-four 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 owns thirty-one ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

For further information please contact CMAL on 01475-749920 or email info@cmassets.co.uk

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has appointed contractors to start the re-construction work of the existing fish quay wall at Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay.

Contractors McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, under the supervision of Engineers Halcrow Group Ltd, will begin work on site on 19 October, with the project expected to be complete by the beginning of 2010.

The existing masonry wall is old, in poor condition and has settled over time.

The new inner harbour wall will be constructed in front of the existing masonry blockwork wall to prevent further movement of the blockwork, including the provision of a new set of boat steps and mooring rings.

In addition, the area behind the wall will be re-compacted and backfilled as appropriate and a new tarmac/blockwork surface laid.

The works are near the area of the access road to the ferry terminal and grain silo but the contractor has given an undertaking to keep the access road open throughout the duration of the works.

This project follows marine and ground investigation work at Port Ellen and Kennacraig which has been taking place since the summer.

By laying the ground work now for any potential infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and Kennacraig, this will ensure the project can begin as soon as possible, should funding become available.

Detailed design work is also continuing for both projects and the process for Harbour Revision Orders will begin shortly.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has contracted McLaughlin & Harvey to undertake the re-construction work of the existing fish quay (inner harbour) wall at Port Ellen, Islay.

Work will begin on site on 19 October and the project is expected to be complete by the beginning of 2010.

CMAL owns property at piers and harbours at more than twenty-four 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 owns thirty-one ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd.

CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

The team behind the Small Ferries Project is to hold a one-day conference  in Brussels to raise awareness of the project, which aims to develop a strategic plan for a new fleet of small vessels to serve remote and island communities off the Scottish and Irish coastlines.

“Ferries for the Future: New models for financing and designing small lifeline ferries” will take place on Tuesday 29th September at Scotland House from midday. Those Interested in attending the conference can do so by registering online at http://ferriesforthefuture.eventbrite.com.

Supported by an EU grant of more than £230,000, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has partnered with the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in Ireland to examine a common design and procurement strategy for ferries which could be used by each of the partners.

Funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme, at least eight routes will be examined within the programme area, which covers parts of the West Coast of Scotland and Ireland. This strategy will help reduce the overhead costs of shipbuilding and increase the potential for efficiency savings through more joined up working across the jurisdictions.

Conference topics will include:

• 'Small Ferries: Financing Solutions through Cross-border Collaboration?'
• ‘The Social and Economic Importance of Lifeline Ferry Services’
• 'Low Carbon Ferries: A Vision for the Future'

The future of Lifeline Ferry Services will also be discussed with guest speakers including Ronald Vopel , Marine Policy at the European Commission; Pelin Zhou, Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at Strathclyde University and Ko Ko Naing of Stena AB.                                                  
                                                                                                                           

Notes to Editors:

• The grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’
• The areas covered in this study will include :

• Alt an Chorrain to Leab Gharbn, Arainn Mhor (Burtonport to Arranmore)
• Alt an Chorrain to Toraigh (Burtonport to Tory Island)
• Ballycastle to Rathlin
• Tarbert to Portavadie
• Gigha to Tayinloan
• Oban to Lismore
• Tobermory to Kilchoan
• Sconser to Raasay

• CMAL, which owns property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland, is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services. CMAL also owns 31 ferries which are chartered to a number of operators. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
• The Department for Regional Development (DRD) is one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created by the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Its main responsibilities include regional planning, roads, public transport and certain policy and support work for water and sewerage, air and sea ports.
• The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities.

For further information contact Andrew Flockhart, CMAL, on 01475-749920 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk   
                                                   
WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2009                            

www.smallferriesproject.com

HRH The Princess Royal has officially re-opened the historic pier in the popular Ayrshire seaside town of Largs following CMAL’s £6M project to safeguard the future of the pier.

HRH The Princess Royal was cheered by hundreds of locals from Largs and the Isle of Cumbrae as she arrived to perform the opening ceremony on the pier which was originally built in 1834.

As Largs Boys Brigade Pipe Band played alongside, five year old Chloe Smith from Cumbrae Primary School presented HRH The Princess Royal with a small bouquet of flowers.

Children from all the local schools; Brisbane Primary School, Cumbrae Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Kelburn Primary School, were invited as special guests to mark the occasion following community involvement throughout the project which started on site last October.

The new pier will provide shelter to the slipway, and overnight berthing for both the MV Loch Shira and MV Loch Riddon, the ferries operating on the route to the Isle of Cumbrae, as well as provide improved facilities for local fishermen and other pier users.

The project was funded by CMAL with 75 percent of costs being met by the Scottish Government as part of its commitment to lifeline ferry services throughout Scotland.

CMAL Chairman, Grenville Johnston, said:”We are grateful to the Princess Royal for joining us to mark this special occasion; the first major infrastructure project completed by CMAL since its creation. We are also thankful to the people of Largs and Cumbrae who now have a pier fit for the future,  safeguarding the vital contribution it makes to the local economy.“

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government has invested £4 million in this project, demonstrating our commitment to improving lifeline ferry services.  This is a pier for the future, which will deliver a real economic boost for the local community, providing shelter to the slipway, berthing for local services and provide improved facilities for local fishermen and other pier users.”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• HRH The Princess Royal was received at Largs by John Duncan QPM, Lord- Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran.
• CMAL Chairman Grenville Johnston gave a short speech before inviting HRH The Princess Royal to unveil a commemorative plaque to officially re-pen the pier.
• The contractor for CMAL’s £6M project to rebuild Largs Pier was George Leslie Ltd with Arch Henderson LLP as consulting engineers.

• Working together with the contractors and consulting engineers as well ferry operators CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL), CMAL set up a community forum with representatives of the Largs and Cumbrae communities to keep locals up to date as the project progressed along with a regular open information session at Largs Library and a public exhibition.

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder www.cmassets.co.uk

For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk
Thursday 10th September 2009

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) can now confirm that ground investigation works are set to get underway at Port Ellen.
During the coming weeks, locals and visitors will initially see a Uniflote barge at the port  then further marine boreholes will be undertaken from a jack-up barge, generally located to the north of the existing pier.
This work will be timed to avoid disruption to ferry services or barley deliveries at the pier .
Safety is of paramount importance to CMAL and as such all necessary safety precautions will be taken. The barge will also be appropriately marked and lit at all times.
By laying the ground work now for any potential infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and Kennacraig, this will ensure the project can begin as soon as possible should funding become available.
Detailed design work is also continuing for both projects and the process for Harbour Revision Orders will begin shortly.
In addition, a marine geophysical (radar) survey, and sampling of soft material from the bed of the harbour, will also be undertaken.  
Depending on the weather, it’s anticipated these works will take approximately four weeks.
One land based borehole, located between the ticket office and grain silo, was completed earlier this year in June.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has contracted Holequest Ltd to undertake site investigation works at Port Ellen, Islay.
• A marine ground investigation will be taking place in the vicinity of the Ferry Terminal at Port Ellen from 26th August until 31st September 2009 approximately.
• The works consist of marine boreholes which will be undertaken from a jack-up barge with a rotary coring rig on it. The jack-up barge will be assisted by a work boat to get it in position for each borehole, once in position the barge will be jacked up clear of the high tide level on its legs and will remain on station until the borehole is complete. 
• The barge will be appropriately marked/lit at all times.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder .www.cmassets.co.uk

 For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or emailandrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

24TH  AUGUST 2009

HRH The Princess Royal is set to re-open the historic pier in the popular Ayrshire seaside town of Largs later this summer.

Princess Anne will perform the opening ceremony on Thursday 10th September following CMAL’s £6M project to safeguard the future of the pier, which was originally built in 1834.

The project, which started on site last October, will allow Largs pier to provide shelter to the slipway, and overnight berthing for both the MV Loch Shira and MV Loch Riddon, the ferries operating on the route to the Isle of Cumbrae, as well as provide improved facilities for local fishermen and other pier users.

The project was funded by CMAL with 75 percent of costs being met by the Scottish Government as part of its commitment to lifeline ferry services throughout Scotland.

Managing Director of CMAL, Guy Platten, said:”We are honoured that the Princess Royal has agreed to officially re-open Largs Pier, marking completion of this project which is vital in safeguarding the future of the pier and the part it plays in the long term economy of the town.”

Working together with consulting engineers, Arch Henderson, contractors George Leslie Ltd and ferry operators CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL), CMAL set up a community forum with representatives of the Largs and Cumbrae communities to keep locals up to date as the project progressed along with a regular open information session at Largs Library and a public exhibition.

CMAL’s Director of Harbours and Piers, Lorna Spencer, said: “We are pleased that this essential project to guarantee the future of Largs Pier is now in its closing stages.  Community involvement has been crucial to the success of this development and we hope the residents of both Largs and Cumbrae will join with us at the opening ceremony to mark this special occasion.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The contractor for CMAL’s £6M project to rebuild Largs Pier was George Leslie Ltd with Arch Henderson LLP as consulting engineers.
• Further information on the opening ceremony will be available nearer the time with updates in the local press and with leaflets distributed throughout the town.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder .www.cmassets.co.uk

For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

27th JULY 2009

The team behind the Small Ferries Project has taken to the sea with community visits to Rathlin Island and Arainn Mhor.

These trips are the first as the 18 month project aims to develop a strategic plan for a new fleet of small vessels to serve remote and island communities off the Scottish and Irish coastlines.

With an EU grant of more than £230,000, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has partnered with the Department for Regional Development in the north of Ireland and the Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south to examine a common design and procurement strategy for ferries which could be used by each of the partners.

Funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme, at least eight routes will be examined which cover the West Coast of Scotland and Ireland.

This strategy will help reduce overhead costs and increase the potential for efficiency savings through more joined up working across the jurisdictions.

Community involvement will be crucial to the study and the working group will visit as many typical communities as possible to identify needs, challenges and opportunities, as well as speak to vessel designers and operators.

The first stage of the project is now underway which involves a study into future numbers of passengers as well as vehicle and freight requirements.

In the coming months, the team will also visit as many locations as possible whilst endeavouring to keep communities informed as the project progress.

A dedicated website to the project is now live; visit www.smallferriesproject.com to find out more.

Notes to Editors:

• The grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’

• The areas covered in this study will include :
• Alt an Chorrain to Leab Gharbn, Arainn Mhor
• Alt an Chorrain to Toraigh
• Ballycastle to Rathlin
• Tarbert to Portavadie
• Gigha to Tayinloan
• Oban to Lismore
• Tobermory to Kilchoan
• Sconser to Raasay

• CMAL, who own property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland, are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services. CMAL also owns 31 ferries which are chartered to a number of operators. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
• The Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland (DRDNI) is one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created in 1999 by the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Their main responsibilities include regional planning, roads, public transport and certain policy and support work for water and sewerage, air and sea ports.
• The Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities.

Below is a picture of the Small Ferries Project Team meeting with Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson at the Rural Transport Conference – Making the Connection, held recently in Inverness:

 

Left – Right – Aodhán MacCormaic, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Ireland; Tony McConnell, Department for Regional Development Ports & Public Transport Division, Northern Ireland Executive; Scottish Government Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson with CMAL Managing Director Guy Platten, Andrew Flockhart of CMAL and Lawrie Sinclair, Chief Executive of David MacBrayne Ltd

Below is a picture of the Small Ferries Project Team visiting Rathlin Island:

Left – Right – Keith Walsh, DRDNI; Connor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development in the Northern Ireland Executive; Guy Platten, Managing Director of CMAL; Aodhán Mac Cormaic, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Andrew Flockhart and Norman Thomson of CMAL along with Sean Coulter, DRDNI.


Below is a picture of the Small Ferries Project Team visiting Arranmore:

Left to right Aodhán Mac Cormaic, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Éamonn Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Guy Platten, Managing Director of CMAL and Keith Walsh, DRDNI.

high resolution copies of the above images are available to download from www.smallferriesproject.com

For further information contact Andrew Flockhart, CMAL, on 01475-749920 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

THURSDAY 9th JULY 2009

www.smallferriesproject.com

The MV Raasay has become the latest CMAL ship to receive its Green Passport. The ship is the first of the 30 ships serving the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services in the west of Scotland to be put through the auditing process as part of a five year programme. The Green Passport - officially termed an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) - will accompany each ship throughout its operational life and will be reviewed by a member of the Lloyd's Register Group on an annual basis. Every five years the IHM will be renewed and re-certified and, at the end of the ship's life, it will help a ship recycling yard to formulate a safe and environmentally friendly way of decommissioning the ship. CMAL have began the process now, with the MV Canna already having received its Green Passport in May, to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to safeguarding the environment as well as early compliance with the new Ship Recycling Convention.

The £6M project to rebuild the historic pier in the popular Ayrshire seaside town is now due for completion by mid August 2009.

The reconstruction works are just three weeks behind schedule, primarily due to problems encountered when the contractor, George Leslie Ltd, uncovered Victorian wooden sheet piles in the old pier structure.

Completion of the Pier is now scheduled for the end of July, and George Leslie anticipate being off site by mid August.

As throughout the project, which started on site last October, it is anticipated that ferry services will continue as normal although this delay will impact on the Waverley scheduled sailings at Largs, access to third party users and public access to the pier.

As passenger and site safety remains a top priority, it has been agreed by CMAL, CalMac Ferries Ltd , Arch Henderson and George Leslie, that at this time, it will not be possible to accommodate the Waverley until the end of the 4th week in July. George Leslie will continue to work with all the project partners towards an earlier date, while maintaining site safety.  CMAL are working with Waverley Excursions to identify suitable alternative arrangements for this period.

Discussions with North Ayrshire Council in relation to piling works around the slipway are now complete; the necessary works will take place over a two week period, working from the last ferry sailing until 2400hrs, Monday to Thursday, from 29th June 2009.

Once complete, the new pier will provide shelter to the slipway, and overnight berthing for both the MV Loch Shira and MV Loch Riddon, the ferries operating on the route to the Isle of Cumbrae, as well as provide improved facilities for local fishermen and other pier users. 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder www.cmassets.co.uk

 

For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

12th June 2009

CMAL has secured a first for Scotland and the UK with the introduction of Green Passports to our ferry fleet.

The Canna  has become the first existing ferry in the UK to be awarded its own Green Passport with two more sister ships due to receive their green passports by July.

The Green Passport - officially termed an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) - will accompany the ship throughout its operational life and will be reviewed by a member of the Lloyd's Register Group on an annual basis. Every five years the IHM will be renewed and re-certified and, at the end of the ship's life, it will help a ship recycling yard to formulate a safe and environmentally friendly way of decommissioning the ship.
All 30 ships in the CMAL fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services in the west of Scotland will be put through the auditing process to secure their Green Passports during the next five years, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to safeguarding the environment as well as early compliance with the new Ship Recycling Convention.
Guy Platten, Managing Director of CMAL, said:”We are constantly looking for new ways to address environmental issues, whether it’s looking at alternative fuels for the ferries of the future or how best to recycle ferries safely at the end of their operational life. The Green Passport is a great example of working with industry colleagues to take action now to help assure environmental protection.”
Lloyd's Register added: ‘We are looking to support all companies in helping them comply with regulation and it is good with CMAL, to be working with a company at the forefront of sustainable shipping operations. In this case they have moved in advance of regulation and they are very much in the vanguard of companies looking to move beyond compliance.' 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The Ship Recycling Convention (IMO Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships), adopted at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) conference in Hong Kong in May 2009, aims to improve standards of safety and reduce environmental pollution from the recycling of ships. The Convention will require ships to have an IHM, essentially a document that contains an inventory of all the materials onboard a ship that may be hazardous to people's health or the environment, and that require careful handling or special awareness.
• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland and are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services.
• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities CMAL owns 31 ferries which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd and Cowal Ferries Ltd. 
• A modern £22m ferry for the route serving Islay from the mainland has been commissioned by CMAL and is being built by the Remontowa yard in Poland. Delivery of the new ferry is expected in spring 2011.
•  CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder www.cmassets.co.uk
• Lloyd’s Register is an independent risk management organisation providing risk assessment and risk mitigation solutions and management system certification. Lloyd’s Register work around the world to assess and certify ships, systems and facilities to improve quality and increase safety. www.lr.org 

 

For further information please contact Andrew Flockhart at CMAL on 01475-749933 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk

Tuesday 2nd June 2009

CMAL has published their findings from the Lismore STAG study, which they presented to residents of Port Appin and Lismore at the beginning of April. The STAG was undertaken by CMAL on behalf of the Scottish Government in partnership with Calmac Ferries Ltd and Argyll and Bute Council. The findings will now feed into the Scottish Government Ferry Review, due to be published later this year. Click HERE for the CMAL presentation.

An EU grant of more than £230,000 has been awarded to a special cross border partnership to establish how best to design and build a fleet of small ferries to serve remote communities off the Scottish and Irish coastlines.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has partnered with the Department for Regional Development in the north of Ireland and the Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south to examine a common design and procurement strategy for small ferries which could be used by each of the partners.
Funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme, at least eight routes will be examined which covers the West Coast of Scotland and Ireland, including the Ballycastle to Rathlin route in Northern Ireland.

This strategy will help reduce overhead costs and increase the potential for efficiency savings through more joined up working across the jurisdictions.
Ministers from Ireland, north and south, and Scotland have welcomed the development and the benefits that it will bring to the three partnership areas.
Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: “This partnership heralds a new way of working together which will improve and enhance ferry services for remote and island communities on both sides of the Irish Sea. In these challenging economic times it is important we improve transport links across Scotland so that communities and individuals can make the fullest possible contribution to our goal of increasing sustainable economic growth for years to come.”

Irish Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs, Éamon Ó Cuiv T.D. added, ”We welcome this new partnership which draws the three Governments together with the shared goal of looking at delivering improved public services by sharing information and best practice while studying the advantages of common design and procurement.”

In welcoming the EU grant, Minister for Regional Development, in the north of Ireland, Conor Murphy said: “Joint co-operation through this partnership will bring benefits and improvements for our most remote communities. I look forward to the Small Ferries Project leading the way for further collaboration to assist the development of small islands.”

Notes to Editors:

• The grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’

The areas covered in this study will include :

• Alt an Chorrain to Leab Gharbn, Arainn Mor
• Alt an Chorrain to Toraigh
• Ballycastle to Rathlin
• Tarbert to Portavadie
• Gigha to Tayinloan
• Oban to Lismore
• Tobermory to Kilchoan
• Sconser to Raasay

• CMAL, who own property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland, are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services. CMAL also owns 31 ferries which are chartered to a number of operators.
CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

• The Department for Regional Development (DRD) is one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created in 1999 by the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Their main responsibilities include regional planning, roads, public transport and certain policy and support work for water and sewerage, air and sea ports;

• The Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities.

For further information contact Andrew Flockhart, CMAL, on 01475-749920 or email andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk
WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH 2009

CMAL have published the Executive Summaries of the Business Cases prepared for infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and Kennacraig. The final business cases will be presented to the Scottish Government for consideration in the near future. Detailed design work is continuing for both projects and the process for Harbour Revision Orders will begin shortly.

Click HERE for the Port Ellen Executive Summary (PDF)

Click HERE for the Kennacraig Executive Summary (PDF)