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CMAL announce winning name for new Islay ferry

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

 

CMAL an coluadar mu Phlana Gàidhlig

Tha Stòras Mara Chaledonia air dreachd Plana Gàidhlig fhoillseachadh airson 2010-2015 agus tha iad a nis son beachdan fhaighinn mu dheidhinn bhon mhòr-shluagh.

Tha am plana a’ leantainn mholaidhean Achd na Gàidhlig (2005) agus a’ mìneachadh mar  a tha CMAL an dùil Gàidhlig a chleachdadh nan cuid obrach, ciamar a chleachdas an luchd-obrach Gàidhlig an uair a tha iad an coluadar leis a’ mhòr-shluagh agus buidhnean eile, agus mar a chuireas a’ chompanaidh ri brosnachadh agus leasachadh na Gàidhlig, a’ cur ri iomadachd cultar na h-Alba.

Tha an dreachd plana a’ soillearachadh mar a thèid an co-chomhairleachadh air adhart agus tha sin ri fhacinn air an làrach-lìn www.cmassets.co.uk. Faodaidh neach sam bith a tha airson beachd a chur a staigh mun phlana sin a dhèanamh air-loidhne.

Tha CMAL an dòchas gum faighear tòrr bheachdan air a’ phlana ach an tèid aca air plana deireannach a chruthachadh a tha ag aithneachadh rùintean nan coimhearsnachdan a tha iad a’ frithealadh.

Thuirt Cathraiche CMAL Grenville Johnstone: “Tha sinn a’ toirt taing do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig airson an taic chun na h-ìre seo ann an bhith a’ deisealachadh a’ Phlana agus tha fiughar againn tuilleadh adhartais a dhèanamh ach an leudaich sinn air ar seirbheisean Gàidhlig agus ach an tèid againn air iomhaigh na Gàidhlig a thogail mar chànan aithnichte.”

Fios gu luchd-deasachaidh

• Tha an dreachd Plana Gàidhlig ri fhaicinn air an làrach-lìn www.cmalassets.co.uk
• Tha bileag air-loidhne airson beachdan a thilleadh chun chompanaidh
• Tha beachdan rin cur a-staigh ro mheadhan latha 29 Samhain 2009
• Tha sealbh aig CMAL air cidheachan agus calaidhean aig còrr is 24 làrach air feadh Alba agus tha iad a’ tòiseachadh air prògram leasachaidh agus ionmhais a bheir tuilleadh piseach air na goireasn sin
• A bharrachd air cidheachdan agus calaidhean, tha sealbh aig CMAL air 31 bàta-aiseig a tha air mhàl aig Aiseagan ChalMac Earranta agus Aiseagan Chòmhail Earranta
• ’S e companaidh poblach a th’ann an CMAL agus tha sealbh aig Ministirean na h-Alba air na h-earrannan gu lèir

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, cuir fios gu CMAL air 01475 749920 no tro phost-dealain aig info@cmassets.co.uk

www.cmassets.co.uk

Have Your Say - CMAL launches competition for new Islay ferry name

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

Further works get underway at Port Ellen

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

 A’ sgaoileadh fiosrachaidh  - Buidheann nan aiseagan beaga a’ togail dhan Bhruiseil.

Tha a’ bhuidheann a tha a’ frithealadh Pròiseact nan Aiseagan Beaga a’ cur co-labhairt a mhaireas aon latha air adhart anns a’ Bhruiseil a mhìneachadh dè tha romhpa, agus a a tharraing aire chun phròiseict a tha a’ dealbh plana ro-innleachdail airson cabhlach de bhàtaichean aiseig beaga ùr a bhios a’ frithealadh nan coimhearsnachdan iomallach agus eileanach a-mach bho chladaichean na h-Alba agus Eireann.

Bidh “Aiseagan son na h-ama ri teachd: modailean ùra airson ionmhais agus dealbhachadh Aiseagan bi-beò” a’ dol air adhart ann an Taigh na h-Alba, Dimàirt 29mh Sultain, bho mheadhan latha.  Bu chòir do neach sam bith aig a bheil ùidh anns a’ ghnothach clàradh aig  http://ferriesforthefuture.eventbrite.com.

Le taic airgid de chòrr is £230,000 bhon EU tha Stòras Mara  Chailedonia (CMAL) an compàirteachas leis an Roinn Leasachaidh Roinneil ann an Èireann a Tuath agus an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe, agus Gaeltachta mu dheas, a’ rannsachadh ciamar a ghabhadh ro-innleachd dealbhachaidh agus ceannach cleachdadh le na buidhnean còmhla.     

Le taic airgid bhon EU fo phrògram  INTERREG IVA, tha sùil ’ga thoirt air co-dhiù ochd slighe air taobh siar na h-Alba agus ann an Èireann. Tha an ro-innleachd seo a’ ciallachadh gun tèid cosgaisean a ghearradh agus gum bi cothroman ann a bhith nas èifeachdaile tro cho-obrachadh thairis air diofar chrìochan is roinnean.
A-measg na cinn air an tèid beachdachadh aig a’ cho-labhairt tha:

• 'Aiseagan Beaga: A’ maoineachadh chùisean tro cho-obrachadh Thar Chrìochan?
• ‘Deatamachd Sòisealta agus Eaconamach Sheirbhisean Aiseig bi-beò’
• 'Aiseagan le ìre ìosal gualain : ro-shealladh’

Thèid dreach sheirbhisean Aiseig Bi-Beò cuideachd a dheasbad le aoighean leithid: Ronald Vopel, Poileasaidh Mara a’ Choimisein Eòrpaich; Pelin Zhou, Àrd Ollaimh Ailltireachd agus Einnseiniridh Mara aig Oilthigh Shrathchluaidh agus Ko Ko Naing bho Stena AB.

Fiosrachadh do Fhir Deasachaidh:
* Fhuaras taic airgid còrr air £230,750 bhon EU fo Phrògram INTERREG IVA - Prògram Compàirteachais Roinneil Thar Chrìochan airson Eireann a Tuath, Roinn nan  Crìochan agus Taobh Siar na h-Alba.  ’S e amas Program INTERREG IVA a bhith: “A’ cumail taic ri compàirteachas thar-chrìochan airson roinn nas beairtiche agus nas seasmhaich a chruthachadh”.
*      A-measg na àiteachan a tha a’ tighinn fon phrosbaig tha :

• Alt an Chorrain gu Leab Gharbh, Arainn Mhor
• Alt an Chorrain gu Toraigh
• Ballycastle gu Reachlainn
• An Tairbeart gu Port a’ Mhadaidh
• Giogha gu Taigh an Lòin
• An t-Òban gu Lios mòr
• Tobar Mhoire gu Cille Chomhghain
• Sgonnsair gu Ratharsair

Tha CMAL, aig a bheil sealbh air toglaichean is eile aig cidheachan agus calaidhean aig 21 diofar àite air feadh Alba, a’ tòiseachadh air prògram leasachaidh a chruthaicheas goireasan nas èifeachdaiche agus a dh’fhosglas cothroman airson barrachd sheirbhisean aiseige. Tha sealbh aig CMAL cuideachd air 31 bàt’-aiseig a tha air chùmhnant aig grunn oibrichean.  ’S ann leis an Riaghaltas a tha CMAL fo stiùir Mhinistirean na h-Alba, aig a bheil sealbh air na h-earrannan gu h-iomlan.

• Chaidh Roinn Leasachaidh Roinneil An Èireann a Tuath  (DRDNI) a chruthachadh mar aon de 11 Roinn ann an Èireann a Tuath ann an 1999 tro Òrdan Roinnean (Eireann a Tuath) 1999. ’S e a phrìomh dleastanas air na Roinnean, dealbhachadh roinneil, rathaidean, còmhdhail poblach agus earran dhen obair a tha an lùib poileasaidh agus taic do dh’òitreachas agus uisge, agus puirt-adhair is mara.
• ’S e amas na Roinne Dùthchail, Coimhearsnachd is Gaeltacht a bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ cumail taic ri leasachaidhean coimhearsnachd a tha seasmhach agus fosgailte dhan h-uile duine, an dà chuid am bailtean mòra agus air an dùthaich, a’ gabhail a-staigh sgìrean Gaeltacht agus coimhearsnachdan eileanach.

Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh, cuiribh fios gu Andrew Flockhart, CMAL, air  01475-749920 no tro phost-dealain aig  andrew.flockhart@cmassets.co.uk                                                      
Diluain Sultain 28, 2009                       
www.smallferriesproject.com  

HRH The Princess Royal re-opens Largs Pier

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

GROUND INVESTIGATION TO GET UNDERWAY AT PORT ELLEN

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 PRINCESS ROYAL TO RE-OPEN LARGS PIER

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

SMALL FERRY PROJECT TEAM TAKE TO THE SEA

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

 

GREEN PASSPORT

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.

WORK CONTINUES TO REBUILD LARGS PIER IN AYRSHIRE

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

A GREEN FIRST - CMAL'S PASSPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS

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

LISMORE STAG FINDINGS

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.

CMAL PARTNERSHIP FOR ISLAND FERRIES PROJECT

 

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

Executive Summaries of Port Ellen and Kennacraig Business Cases for Infrastructure Improvements.

 

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)