Artists impression of the new Stornoway-Ullapool ferry 
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has today (22nd June) announced that the contracts have been formally signed to build the new Stornoway-Ullapool ferry, announced earlier this month.  The various documents including the shipbuilding contract and lease were signed for the replacement vessel, which is to be built at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft MBH and Co KG - Flensburg, Germany.
Financing is being provided by Lloyds Bank’s Corporate Asset Finance team. CMAL will enter into an operating lease with Lloyds Bank and following delivery, CMAL will charter the vessel to the operator of the route.  

The new 116m Roll On Roll Off vehicle passenger ferry will be capable of operating 24 hours a day and will have a capacity for up to 700 passengers, and 143 cars or 20 commercial vehicles. The new vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of June 2014 and will go into service shortly thereafter.

Commenting on the announcement CMAL Chief Executive, Guy Platten, said:

“We are delighted that the contracts have been signed for the new vessel and I look forward to seeing the final designs and watching the ferry being built over the next two years.  The new ferry, which will be faster, greener, more reliable, will provide a critical lifeline service for communities between the Western Isles and the Scottish mainland”.

Andrew Robertson, Director, Corporate Asset Finance, said:

“Lloyds Bank is delighted to be supporting one of Scotland’s leading transport businesses in the acquisition of a key asset to be used in the provision of lifeline ferry services to Scotland’s island communities and we look forward to building on our newly established relationship with CMAL”.

Artists impression of the new Stornoway-Ullapool ferryArtists impression of the new Stornoway-Ullapool ferry