Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has announced the shortlist of names entered into the competition to name the world's first sea going Roll On Roll Off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferry, currently being built in Port Glasgow.  The five finalists from over 100 entries, together with the class that will inform subsequent vessel names, are: 

  • Corbett class                   Glamaig     (one of the Red Hills on Skye)
  • Scottish Fort class           Dun Caan    (the highest hill on Raasay)
  • Scottish Literary class     Hallaig         (a poem named after a place in Raasay)
  • Scottish Seabird class      Fulmar       
  • Scottish Inventor class    James Watt    (Scottish inventor of the steam engine)

CMAL chose the shortlisted names because they reflect the innovation of their new venture and the company’s Scottish heritage.

This second phase of the competition opens today (Monday 16th July) and to vote in this stage of the competition, ferry lovers should go online to: www.cmassets.co.uk/competition  before Friday 31st August, when voting closes.

The entrant who suggested the most popular name  will be a special guest at the ferry's launch in December 2012, as well as winning a one day ferry crossing of their choice for a car and two people on a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry.  They will also receive an invitation to be on the ferry’s first scheduled crossing between Sconser and Raasay, with travel costs within the UK paid for the winner and a guest from their home to Port Glasgow (launch) and Sconser (first crossing).

Two people, picked at random from those voting for the winning name from the shortlist, will also win a one day ferry crossing of their choice for a car and two people on one of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, courtesy of CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Guy Platten, Chief Executive of CMAL commented: “This project demonstrates CMAL’s commitment to leading the way in innovative ferry design and we are really excited about the names we have shortlisted and look forward to seeing which one is most popular with ferry lovers.”

The two ferries are currently being built at Ferguson Shipyard in Port Glasgow and it is anticipated that the first vessel will enter service in late spring/early summer 2013, with the second following six months later. It is likely that the first ship will initially serve on the Sconser-Raasay route, subject to modifications being carried out at Sconser.

The ferries will accommodate 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs, with a service speed of nine knots and are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides.  The new ferries will use some of the most innovative new ‘green’ technology, including Lithium Ion battery banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board. Benefits include reduced fuel consumption and impact of CO2 emissions and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower maintenance requirements.

Notes to Editors

  • Voting opens on Monday 16th July and closes on Friday 31st August.
  • Those wishing to take part in the competition can enter on-line at www.cmassets.co.uk/competition. Full terms and conditions are on the CMAL website.
  • The two new vessels will be owned by CMAL who are leading the project and operated by the current operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac Ferries.
  • CMAL own property at piers and harbours in more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities.  In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL own 30 ferries, which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd.
  • CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
  • For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk