New names for Scotland’s Islay vessels decided by public vote

By | 2023 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has announced ISLE OF ISLAY and LOCH INDAAL as the names for the two new ferries to serve Islay and Jura following a public vote.

Delivery expected towards the end of 2024 for vessel one, and early 2025 for vessel two.

The two new ferries will have a clear focus on freight, as well as sufficient passenger accommodation: 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles. This will provide a combined 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes and will improve the overall resilience of the wider fleet.

The Islay ferries form part of a programme of investment by CMAL, funded through Scottish Government commitments to capital investment of around £700 million in ferry infrastructure and related services over the five years from 2021 to 2026.

Wider plans will deliver other new small and major vessels for the fleet and upgrades of harbour infrastructure with future options being considered through the emerging Islands Connectivity Plan.

CMAL & Strathclyde University Secure £30k Grant for Clean Maritime Fuel Project

By | 2021 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and the University of Strathclyde have secured a £30,000 grant to fund a six-month research project to explore the technical, operational and commercial viability of using zero-carbon fuels to power ferries.

The project, called Lifecycle Energy Solutions for Clean Scotland/UK Maritime Economy, is a feasibility study that will explore the most effective solutions that will drive down carbon emissions from the maritime sector.

CMAL’s team of ship designers, naval architects and marine engineers will work alongside marine academics and researchers at the University of Strathclyde to conduct a life cycle assessment on the viability of using ammonia, hydrogen, and main grid electricity for ferries.  The team will design robust business scenarios based on 23 ferries on 27 routes on the west coast of Scotland, including highly reliable predictions of the costs and benefits of the proposed alternative fuel sources and a comparison to the use of diesel.

Four Shipyards Invited to Tender for New Islay Vessels

By | 2021 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has invited four shipyards to bid for the contract to build two new ferries for Islay:

  • Damen, Romania
  • Remontowa Shipbuilding
  • Sefine Denizcilik Tersanecilik Turizm
  • Cemre Marin Endustri

The contract will be awarded no later than the end of March 2022.

The new vessels will have greater vehicle capacity than the current vessels on the route (FINNLAGAN and ISLE OF MULL), and will have significantly lower energy requirement. They will be designed with a clear focus on freight, including the capability to operate a possible overnight freight service.