Islay vessel enabling works

A project covering pier infrastructure upgrade works at Port Ellen, Port Askaig, Colonsay and Kennacraig to accommodate new vessels.

Public engagement event—Storyboards now available

14 March 2024

Following the recent event on Colonsay, the materials presented can now be viewed online.

Download Storyboards Now ›

Responses to your questions and feedback

8 March 2024

Following the Islay and Jura public consultation events in January 2024, responses to the frequently asked questions and feedback received are now available:

Port Askaig—Argyll & Bute Council Marshalling Area Works—FAQs ›
General—Enabling Works—FAQs ›

Responses have been provided with input from CMAL, Transport Scotland, CalMac and Argyll & Bute Council.

Colonsay public engagement event

23 February 2024

CMAL is leading plans to upgrade infrastructure at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay ferry terminals for the arrival of new ferries, MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal. CMAL is hosting a series of events to update communities on the progress of these vessels and the planned construction works—the latest of which will be held in the Colonsay Village Hall on Tuesday 27 February 2024 at 16:00–19:00.

Engineers from CMAL’s project team will be in attendance, alongside representatives from CalMac and Transport Scotland to share details of the proposed construction plans for the ferry terminals. They will also discuss timescales and any potential changes to services.

Everyone with an interest is encouraged to drop-in at a time and location convenient to them.

View our updates from recent public engagement events

17 January 2024

Following our recent public events in Islay and Jura, you can now view the materials presented during these meetings:

View the exhibition slides now ›

The online survey is now open for responses here, and you can send any other questions or feedback to islayvessel@cmassets.co.uk.

Upcoming public engagement events

3 January 2024

CMAL is leading plans to upgrade infrastructure at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay ferry terminals for the arrival of new ferries, MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal. CMAL is hosting a series of events to update communities on the progress of these vessels and the planned construction works:

Engineers from CMAL’s project team will be in attendance, alongside representatives from CalMac, Transport Scotland and Argyll & Bute Council, to share details of the proposed construction plans for the ferry terminals. They will also discuss timescales and any potential changes to services.

Everyone with an interest is encouraged to drop-in at a time and location convenient to them.

For those unable to attend in person, materials presented at the events will subsequently be made available on this webpage.

A further meeting will be held in Colonsay in late February—details to be confirmed in due course.

Preparatory works begin at Kennacraig to enable new Islay vessels

10 November  2023

We are leading plans to upgrade infrastructure at ferry terminals for the arrival of MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal, which are scheduled for delivery in late 2024 and early 2025. The upgrades at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay include dredging, strengthening works, fendering, provision of a mooring aid and shore power facilities. You can read more here.

Upcoming series of community events

18 October 2023

We are hosting a series of events to update communities on the planned construction work at Colonsay, Kennacraig and Port Askaig ferry terminals.

At the events, CMAL engineers and representatives from CalMac and Transport Scotland will share details of the proposed construction plans for each ferry terminal. They will also discuss high-level timescales and potential changes to services.

The events will take place at:

• Tarbert Village Hall
  Tuesday 24 October 2023, 4:00–7:00pm
• Islay Gaelic Centre/Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle
  Wednesday 10 January 2024, 4:00–7:00pm
• Jura Village Hall
  Thursday 11 January 2024, 2:00–5:00pm
• Colonsay Village Hall
  Tuesday 27 February 2024, 4:00–7:00pm

Read more in our news release ›

New Islay Vessel Enabling Works Project Update

18 May 2023

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is leading plans to upgrade infrastructure at ferry terminals before the delivery of two new Islay ferries. The upgrades include dredging, strengthening works, fendering, provision of mooring aids and shore power facilities.

The detailed design phase for the enabling works is now complete, and the procurement process for the construction works is underway, with a contract notice now live on the Public Contract Scotland (PCS) website.

Tenders will be received for the works at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay, which are due to be submitted by the end of July. A contract award is expected by the end of August after CMAL evaluates the tenders and the necessary stand-still period is observed. CMAL will share more detailed plans for the works before they commence.

A major redevelopment project for the Port Ellen ferry terminal is already underway, which aims to provide the required marshalling capacity to accommodate the existing and new Islay vessels. It will significantly improve traffic management and safety, pedestrian access, and enhance active and sustainable travel options for all users. The plans include the creation of a new ferry terminal, an additional commercial berth that will considerably improve the resilience of the ferry service, and a segregated area for commercial activity at Port Ellen. Therefore, further enabling works are not currently required to be investigated under this New Islay Vessel Enabling Works project.

A business case for the Port Ellen terminal development project is being finalised, and CMAL will continue to monitor the need for enabling works at Port Ellen, depending on the outcome of the business case process.

Exhibition slides and feedback survey

31 August 2022

Following a series of community events to discuss the port enabling works at Colonsay, Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Port Ellen ferry terminals, a digital version of the slides are available to view:

• Exhibition slides 

We welcome all comments and feedback, which you can submit by emailing islayvessel@cmassets.co.uk.

Community events to share upgrade proposals

28 July 2022

We are hosting a series of community events to share proposals for port enabling works at Colonsay, Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Port Ellen ferry terminals.

At the events, our engineers will be joined by representatives from Mott MacDonald, CalMac and Transport Scotland, and we will share details of the proposed plans for each ferry terminal, along with high level timescales, potential disruption caused by the works, and high level plans for continuing ferry services during construction.

The events will take place:

• Jura Village Hall
  Wednesday 10 August, 12.00–3.45pm
• Islay Gaelic Centre / Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle
  Monday 15 August, 4.00–7.00pm
• Tarbert Village Hall
  Tuesday 16 August, 4.00–7.00pm
• Colonsay Village Hall
  Wednesday 17 August, 4.00–7.00pm

For anyone who is unable to attend, proposals and presentations will be published on this page to coincide with the events.

Design contract awarded

1 December 2021

We have awarded a contract to engineering firm Mott MacDonald to support the detailed design of pier infrastructure upgrade works.

The £1.5 million contract, which has been awarded following a public sector procurement process, covers design consultancy services for vessel enabling works at Port Ellen and Port Askaig in Islay, Kennacraig and Colonsay.

Working closely with our harbours engineers and project managers, Mott MacDonald will secure and manage the required planning consents and licences, support stakeholder and community engagement, conduct and commission site surveys and investigations, create detailed design of works required at all four sites, and help prepare tender documents to appoint construction contractors.

The design and planning stage is expected to last around a year, with construction estimated to begin in 2023.