Ferries

Aside from the new ferry currently being built in Poland, which will operate on routes serving Islay from the mainland from 2011, CMAL currently own 31 ferries.

All of these ferries, which are operated by Calmac Ferries (CFL), Rathlin Ferries and Cowal Ferries on routes to the islands and peninsulas of the west of Scotland, can carry vehicles from 5 to 123 cars. The total fleet value is £83 million pounds.

Equipped with a wide range of facilities and features designed to ensure safe and comfortable journeys for passengers, all ferries are specially built for the ports they serve yet still interchangeable, and able to serve different crossings.

The oldest of the fleet is the MV Jupiter which was built in 1973 by James Lamont & Co Ltd of Port Glasgow and entered service in March 1974 operating between Gourock and Dunoon. James Lamont & Co Ltd were also responsible for two other ferries launched the following year, the MV Juno and the MV Canna.

The largest ferry in the fleet is the MV Isle of Lewis which was built by Fergusons Shipbuilders Ltd of Port Glasgow in 1995. The MV Isle of Lewis serves the Ullapool – Stornoway (Lewis) route, and can accommodate 123 cars and 970 passengers.

The most recent addition to the fleet is the MV Loch Shira which was launched by Fergusons Shipyard in Port Glasgow in 2007 to provide support on the popular Largs – Cumbrae crossing.

In November of 2007 CMAL 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.

One of CMAL’s goals for the future is to ensure that all of our ferries are less than 30 years old.

Click on any of the ferry names on the right to find out more about a particular ship.