Tag

CMAL

Mar 20
Love3

CMAL Selects GSI For Northern Isles Freight Flex Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) intends to award a contract to Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd (GSI), China. A mandatory 10-day standstill period is now underway.

The contract covers two 140m freight flex ferries. These vessels will replace HELLAR and HILDASAY on services operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Key features:

  • Increased freight capacity
  • Higher operating speeds
  • Space for up to 200 passengers during peak periods

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said the project marks an important milestone. She highlighted:

  • Improved freight and passenger capacity
  • Faster crossings
  • Greater reliability for Northern Isles communities and businesses

Kevin Hobbs, CEO CMAL, said GSI demonstrated strong innovation and efficiency. He added that the yard meets recognised environmental and safety standards.

The vessels have been designed by Navalue and LMG Marin.

Mar 20
Love3

CMAL Takes Ownership of Ardrossan Harbour

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour on behalf of the Scottish Government on 18 March 2026.

The acquisition from Peel Ports Group includes the full harbour area, the Arran and Irish berths, linkspans, car park and marshalling area, part of the land currently used by the boatyard, and the approach road.

Dec 05
Love3

CMAL Updates on New Islay & Little Minch Ferries

By 2025 Newsletter week 49

CMAL reports that the new ISLE OF ISLAY may be delivered before Christmas, though entry into service is expected in the New Year. MCA completion surveys took place in late October, with final checks planned for early December. Delivery remains the target but is not guaranteed.

Sister ship LOCH INDAAL is now berthed alongside ISLE OF ISLAY at Cemre Shipyard No. 1, with outfit work and major systems commissioning underway.

The third vessel, LOCHMOR, is progressing at Cemre Shipyard No. 2, with outfit work, equipment installation, pipework, cabling, ventilation, and insulation ongoing.

Hull construction of CLAYMORE (NB1101) is complete and outfit work continues. The launch is anticipated in Q1 2026, following the delivery of ISLE OF ISLAY.

Source: CMAL Letter to Scottish Parliament

Oct 03
Love3

CMAL Update on New Vessels

By 2025 Newsletter week 40

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has updated the Scottish Parliament on progress of its four new vessels under construction in Türkiye.

  • ISLE OF ISLAY successfully completed sea trials; delivery expected in November.
  • LOCH INDAAL, LOCHMOR, CLAYMORE to follow at six-month intervals.

Read the full CMAL update

Mar 21
Love3

SHIPS

By 2025 Newsletter week 12

CMAL Selects Remontowa for its Seven New Loch-Class Electric Ferries

aledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has identified Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland, as the lead bidder for a contract to build seven new loch-class fully electric ferries.

  • The contract is expected to be awarded following a 10-day standstill period.
  • Seven vessels in its first phase, with an additional three to follow in phase two through a separate procurement process later this year.
  • The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
  • These electric ferries will strengthen the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, enhancing service reliability and reducing carbon emissions.
  • The procurement process involved a thorough evaluation, with bids assessed based on technical (65%) and financial (35%) criteria by marine experts and CMAL specialists. Remontowa emerged as the top-scoring bidder.
Sep 27
Love2

Scotland: Update Northern Isles Freight Vessels

By 2024 Newsletter week 39

CMAL published an update of the project aiming to replace the two existing freight vessels with an improved design, adding freight capacity, reducing passage time, and potentially adding some flexible passenger-carrying capacity. CMAL say they are currently at the concept design stage and moving towards the preparation of gaining funding.  

As per Transport Scotland’s Vessels and Ports Plan, funding for the replacement NIFS freight vessels is expected in Phase 2 of the plan (2026 to 2031) but not before 2028. 

CMAL has also been actively looking to purchase second-hand tonnage for the Aberdeen to Kirkwall/Lerwick route, with three vessels taken forward to the purchase stage thus far. Unfortunately, it was not possible to conclude the sales in these instances. CMAL continues to explore the market for additional second-hand tonnage that could enhance current services and provide additional resilience to the fleet. 

Source: CMAL 

Caption 

New vessel concept, courtesy of Leadship. The design is currently in development and not final. 

Aug 09
Love2

Ferry veteran HEBRIDEAN ISLES to leave the CalMac fleet end of this year

By 2024 Newsletter week 32

HEBRIDEAN ISLES to be retired as CalMac and CMAL modernise major vessel fleet: 

  • Retirement Date: MV Hebridean Isles will be retired in November 2024. 
  • Service Duration: In operation since December 1985. 
  • Recent Service: Primarily served the Islay route. 
  • Replacement Vessels: ISLE OF ISLAY and LOCH INDAAL. 
  • Reason for Retirement: Age and required extensive overhaul. 
  • Certification Expiry: Certification expires on 21 November 2024. 

Source: CalMac.co.uk 

 

May 26
Love0

Brosnachadh don Ghàidhlig bho CMAL

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

Or in English “Boost for Gaelic language from CMAL”

  • Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has released the third iteration of its Gaelic Language Plan, designed to enhance the status of the language.
  • The plan sets out CMAL’s commitments to promote its use through a range of actions and initiatives, including bilingual signage at harbours and other properties; bilingual names for all ferries; Gaelic translation of communications hosted on its website and across social media. A number of employees are currently learning Gaelic.
May 19
Love0

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

By 2023 Newsletter week 20

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.

Mar 17
Love0

FMEL announces further delay to Calmac vessels

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

Ferguson Marine has announced a further delay to the two vessels under construction for CMAL/Calmac.

The first vessel GLEN SANNOX (Hull 801) will now be delivered between Autumn 2023 and the end of 2023.  The second vessel (Hull 802) will be delivered between autumn 2024 and the end of 2024.

The vessels, now over 5 years late, were most recently due in May 2023 and March 2024.

The further delays are attributed to a variety of issues connected to the difficult construction history of the ships.

Photo: Ferguson Marine