Newsletter
August 2026
Contents
From the helm
We hear from our Chief Executive, Kevin Hobbs, on maintaining momentum and seeing the benefits of continued investment coming to fruition.
News and views
Catch up with the latest CMAL news you might have missed.
Meet the board
This month meet one of our board members—Director of Vessels, Jim Anderson.
Behind the scenes
How does vessel design meet passenger experience? We speak to Lewis Hammell, a Technical Manager from our Vessels team.
From the helm
—Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL
Across the network, we continue to see the benefits of sustained investment come to fruition—new vessels are being built and delivered, major harbour projects are progressing, and communities are beginning to see long-awaited improvements take shape.
MV Isle of Islay has entered service, with her sister vessels following shortly; construction is underway on seven new electric ferries, while progress continues for the next generation of freight-flex vessels for the Northern Isles Ferry Service. Infrastructure work continues to ensure ports are ready for the next generation of vessels and recent steps to secure ownership of vessels still under construction also demonstrate that maintaining momentum requires active management as well as investment, helping to protect delivery for the communities that depend on them.
It would be easy to look at this level of activity and conclude that the hard work is done. The reality is quite the opposite.
One of the most important lessons from managing long-term infrastructure is that you cannot take your eye off what comes next. By the time a vessel enters service, we should already be planning the next generation of ferries, with multiple projects progressing at different stages of development. Similarly, as a harbour redevelopment is nearing completion, the next projects in the pipeline will be underway.
It’s vital to maintain momentum as we see project planning turn into delivery. The activity we see today should not be viewed as an exceptional period of investment, but rather, it must be the norm.
When investment slows or is redirected elsewhere, the consequences are not always immediately visible. Ferries continue to sail, harbours continue to operate, and services continue to run. However, the underlying assets continue to age, and eventually the gap between what is needed and what has been delivered becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to close.
We have made significant progress in recent years thanks to structured investment through the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan. By the end of the decade, we are on track to renew half of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry fleet. Once the vessels currently under construction are in service, the average age of the fleet will fall to below 15 years.
Maintaining an average fleet age of around 15 years is not simply a target on a spreadsheet. It is about ensuring a steady programme of renewal that supports long-term resilience across the network. A balanced age profile allows us to introduce new technologies, improve efficiency and spread replacement requirements over time, reducing the risk of large numbers of vessels reaching the end of their serviceable lives simultaneously.
The same principle applies to our ports and harbours. Infrastructure investment cannot stop once a project is completed. Assets require ongoing maintenance, renewal and adaptation to support larger vessels, shore power infrastructure, electrification, and future decarbonisation requirements. The network must evolve continuously if it is to remain fit for purpose.
That is why long-term planning matters so much. On average, it takes around five years from concept design to seeing a ferry enter service. Decisions not taken today will be felt years from now, and if we want new vessels operating beyond 2030, we need to plan and procure them now.
Looking ahead, there is an opportunity to establish a longer-term commitment around ferry investment. Island communities depend on these services regardless of which political party is in government, and the need for safe vessels, resilient infrastructure and reliable connections does not change with election cycles.
For that reason, cross-party commitment to sustained investment in Scotland’s ferry network should be encouraged. A long-term approach to funding vessels and harbour infrastructure would provide certainty, support strategic planning and help avoid the stop-start cycles that create future challenges.
The progress being delivered today demonstrates what can be achieved through consistent investment, active programme management and long-term thinking. The challenge now is to ensure that this momentum is not viewed as a temporary surge of activity, but as the foundation for a permanent programme of renewal.
Because when it comes to lifeline ferry services, standing still is not an option.
News and views
Meet the board
Jim Anderson
Director of Vessels
With more than 40 years of experience working in the maritime industry, Jim Anderson has witnessed significant change across shipbuilding governance and procurement. Since joining CMAL in 2009, he has played a key role in shaping the organisation’s vessel programme and today oversees the renewal of the lifeline ferry services for Scotland’s Clyde, Hebridean, and Northern Isles.
Reflecting on how CMAL’s approach to vessel procurement has evolved during his time with the organisation, Jim points to continued improvements in rigorous governance, planning, and collaboration.
“The journey from a blank piece of paper to a vessel entering service has really been strengthened over the years,” he explains. “Today, projects are supported by detailed business cases, independent reviews, and extensive pre-procurement studies. That gives us greater confidence that we’re making the right decisions for the communities we serve.”
A major part of that evolution has been nurturing relationships across the sector. Having worked closely with CalMac, Transport Scotland, shipyards and local communities throughout his career, Jim says collaboration has never been stronger.
“Building the right vessel starts with listening to the people who rely on it. Whether that’s ferry operators, island communities, local businesses or vessel crews, their input helps ensure we’re delivering vessels that meet the needs of the network both now and in the future.”
One of the achievements Jim is most proud of is CMAL’s move towards greater vessel standardisation. By developing vessels in repeatable classes, such as the new Islay-Class vessels and those being delivered through the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, CMAL can improve operational efficiency, support crew familiarisation and create a more integrated approach between vessels and port infrastructure.
Despite the scale and complexity of his role, it is the variety of the work that continues to motivate Jim. From engaging with communities and working alongside shipyards, to seeing crews take ownership of a new vessel, every project brings something different.
When asked if he has a favourite vessel, Jim points to MV Hebrides, a vessel he worked on during his time at Ferguson Shipbuilders before joining CMAL. “It’s a much-loved vessel and one I’ll always have a personal connection with,” he says.
Behind the scenes
How vessel design meets passenger experience
—Lewis Hammell, Technical Manager
When we talk about vessel design, we often focus on the technical specification: capacity, propulsion, efficiency, stability and regulatory compliance. All of these are essential, and over the last decade, we’ve seen how technological advances in shipbuilding have evolved and improved the overall resilience of Scotland’s lifeline ferry services. But for the people who use these vessels as part of their daily journey, they’re also a place to wait, move, rest, eat and work as they travel to and from the Scottish islands.
That’s why, alongside technical specifications, passenger experience is built into the vessel design process from the earliest stages. At CMAL, we work closely with vessel operators, CalMac and NorthLink Ferries, throughout the development of new vessels to ensure that the ships we procure are not only operationally robust, but also practical and welcoming for passengers.
Whether it’s collaborating on the new vessels for the Islay and Jura routes or the two new freight flex ferries for the Northern Isles, this partnership blends two important perspectives. Our role at CMAL, as the people responsible for procuring and owning the vessels, is to ensure that they meet technical, safety and long-term asset requirements for the network. This includes reviewing freight and passenger capacity, standardisation across vessels, and implementing sustainable solutions for ferry travel. CalMac and NorthLink Ferries, as the day-to-day operators, bring direct insight into how passengers and crew use the spaces every day. Together, this helps shape decisions around layout, passenger flow, accessibility, seating, weather protection, and the balance between passenger and freight needs.
This joined-up thinking is visible in the next generation of vessels, from the smallest to the largest design choices. Take the four major vessels for the Islay and Little Minch routes built at Cemre Shipyard, for example. Although the vessels will be serving different routes, their technical and interior design has been standardised to improve reliability and resilience, and to maintain a consistent level of high-quality passenger experience. On the new vessels, the passenger accommodation has been brought forward on the ship, and larger windows have been installed to make the most of the incredible views across the water. The interior finishes have also been developed to create a lighter, more modern feel, while using a colour palette of greens, browns and oranges to reflect the lush green landscapes, sandy beaches and the renowned whisky distilleries synonymous with the west coast.
But good passenger design is not just about how a vessel looks. It also encompasses how well people can move through it and feel comfortable on board. Although accessibility has been considered throughout CMAL’s vessel procurement, we’ve stepped this up in recent years. With the Islay and Little Minch vessels, we’ve fitted coloured stair nosings onto the edges of each step for better visibility, double-height handrails, tactile flooring and height-adjustable tables to help make the vessel more usable for passengers with a variety of needs. Even on smaller vessels, like those being built for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP), we’ve made efforts to improve accessibility by taking on board feedback from ferry users and including a wheelchair accessible car deck. In the past, there was only a small gap for drivers to open vehicle doors, but this change will make a significant difference for many passengers as they get in and out of their vehicles.
But good passenger design is not just about how a vessel looks. It also encompasses how well people can move through it and feel comfortable on board. Although accessibility has been considered throughout CMAL’s vessel procurement, we’ve stepped this up in recent years. With the Islay and Little Minch vessels, we’ve fitted coloured stair nosings onto the edges of each step for better visibility, double-height handrails, tactile flooring and height-adjustable tables to help make the vessel more usable for passengers with a variety of needs. Even on smaller vessels, like those being built for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP), we’ve made efforts to improve accessibility by taking on board feedback from ferry users and including a wheelchair accessible car deck. In the past, there was only a small gap for drivers to open vehicle doors, but this change will make a significant difference for many passengers as they get in and out of their vehicles.
Passenger flow is another key consideration. There is a wide range of ferry users, including daily commuters, tourists, freight operators, and passengers travelling with children, pets or luggage. Therefore, vessel design must support safe and efficient movement from boarding to disembarking. This is where CalMac’s operational insight is invaluable. The crew understand how passengers use vessels in real-life conditions: where queues form, how people move between lounges and catering areas, which areas get busy during poor weather, and where small improvements can make journeys feel vastly more pleasant and comfortable. Having those conversations with CalMac early in the process helps turn a vessel from a technical asset into a space that works for people.
Ultimately, successful ferry design is measured by how well we bring all of these elements together. By working collaboratively from the outset with stakeholders, CalMac, our designers and the shipyard’s outfitters, we can ensure that our vessels reflect the communities they serve – not only in look and feel, but in terms of accessibility and capacity needs. Whether through improved user experience, better passenger flow, more aesthetically pleasing interiors, or practical onboard facilities, the goal is the same: to make every journey safer, smoother, and more enjoyable for the network’s ferry users.
Live Harbour Webcams
Keep an eye on harbour conditions with our live webcams streaming from across the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Network of Scotland.