Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has announced an order for a new ferry which will be operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) on the routes serving Islay from the mainland.

Agreement has been reached with the Remontowa yard in Gdansk, Poland to build an 89.90m long vehicle/passenger ferry. Delivery of the new ferry is expected in Spring 2011.

The overall cost of procuring the vessel and bringing her into service will be £24.5 million and is being financed by a loan from the Scottish Government. All interest and capital repayments will be met by CMAL.

CMAL’s Managing Director, Guy Platten said: “The Remontowa tender was one of 4 received and represented extremely good value in a very challenging shipbuilding market. The delivery of the vessel in spring 2011 reflects the huge demand for new shipping worldwide and the scarcity of vital components including engines. CMAL and CFL have been working very closely together on this project and are convinced that the ship will be cost-effective, provide value for money, and will meet all of our technical requirements. This new vessel demonstrates the commitment to continue to modernise and improve CMAL’s assets and to maintain reliable and affordable lifeline links to island communities. Once delivered it will provide the operator with the resources needed on the routes from Kennacraig to Islay to offer a first-class service.”

Welcoming the news the contract has been signed, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson MSP said, “We are absolutely committed to delivering first class ferry services for our remote and island communities. That is why we recently announced a study into a road equivalent tariff, and that is why we are today giving a firm commitment to a new vessel for Islay. This service is a lifeline for the community on Islay. Once delivered, the new vessel will provide much needed additional capacity, as well as bringing service improvements to local residents, businesses and tourists. Our commitment to ferry improvements does not stop there. We want to deliver a fairer deal for ferry passengers across Scotland."

The new vessel will be a modern Ro-Ro Euro Class B passenger vessel designed to carry 550 passengers, up to 88 cars, as well as coaches and commercial vehicles. The ship will also be capable of carrying dangerous goods.

Passengers will be accommodated on two well-appointed decks, with access gained at the lower of the two from an enclosed passenger gangway. There will be two lifts, one on each side of the ship, to all decks. The ship will also be built in line with DPTAC guidance on facilities for customers with mobility impairments.

Notes to editors

  • The overall cost of the project is £24.5 million: Shipyard build cost- £21.75 million. Additional overheads such as project supervision, vessel spares, training and delivery into service bring the total cost of the project to £24.5 million.
  • Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd owns the ferries, ports and harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the West coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary.
  • We are wholly owned by the Scottish Government with Scottish Ministers the sole shareholders.
  • We aim to provide efficient, cost-effective and safe ferries, harbours and port infrastructure for operators, communities and users in and around Scotland.

Media

All media enquiries should be made to Andrew Flockhart on 01475 749933.
The CMAL team can also be contacted by emailing info@cmassets.co.uk
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Write to us at:
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd
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