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Tag: CMAL | Ferry Shipping News

Sep 27
2

Scotland: Update Northern Isles Freight Vessels

By | 2024 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

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
2

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

By | 2024 Newsletter week 32 | No Comments

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
0

Brosnachadh don Ghàidhlig bho CMAL

By | 2023 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

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
0

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.

Mar 17
0

FMEL announces further delay to Calmac vessels

By | 2023 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

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

Feb 10
0

CMAL held a public webinar on the small vessel replacement programme

By | 2023 Newsletter week 6 | No Comments

Scotland. CMAL held a public webinar on 2 February to share a further update on the SVRP feasibility studies. The Small Vessel Replacement Programme aims to achieve a very substantial renewal of the small vessel fleet during the next 10 years.

The meeting slides are available here

https://www.cmassets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SVRP-Public-Webinar-No-2-Presentation-02-February-2023.pdf

Interview with CalMac CEO Robbie Drummond in Herald Scotland

https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/23298875.calmac-boss-details-truth-behind-ferry-fiasco/

A recording of the online meeting is available to view on YouTube

Jan 13
0

Two new ferries for ‘The Little Minch’ in Scotland (*)

By | 2023 Newsletter week 2 | No Comments

CMAL signed the contract to build two new ferries to support the communities at Uig, Lochmaddy and Tarbert (Harris). They will also be built at Cemre Shipyard.

The two new vessels will be built to the same specification as the existing ferries under construction for Islay. (Designed by German firm Navalue)

This will speed up the replacement of the major vessel fleet and provide a more standardised vessel type that can be used on a variety of different routes.

(*) The Minch is the broad seaway which separates Great Britain and the islands of the Inner Hebrides from the Outer Hebrides. The Little Minch is the narrower straits between Skye to the east and Harris and the Uists to the west.

Some technical specifications:

Battery Hybrid Diesel Electric propulsion system: • 4 x Diesel Generators (using low sulphur MGO) • 2 x Cycloidal Propellers on Islay Vessels • 2 x Transverse bow thrusters (880kW) • 2 x Battery Banks (2 x approx. 574kWh) • Shore Charging • Batteries banks for peak shaving, in-port, manoeuvring, slow speed

Presentation
Apr 07
4

CMAL has awarded a contract to construct a new terminal building at Tarbert (Harris, Scotland)

By | 2022 Newsletter week 14 | No Comments

The new building will be the final stage in the multi-million-pound upgrade project at Tarbert Ferry Terminal, which recently saw the completion of the new pier and increased marshalling area.

Work to build the new terminal building will begin in spring 2022 and is anticipated to take a year to complete. The new pier is already in use by CalMac, and the upgraded marshalling area has increased vehicle capacity.

CMAL is delivering significant vessel and harbour investment, backed by a £580 million commitment from the Scottish Government for an initial five-year period from 2021 to 2026.  Plans will deliver 21 new vessels for the fleet and multi-million-pound upgrade of harbour infrastructure over the next 10 years.  More information is online at www.cmassets.co.uk/investment

Nov 25
4

CMAL is selecting a new name for UTNE

By | 2021 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

UTNE has joined the CMAL fleet. A competition has been opened to find a name.

The names in the shortlist are all associated with Mull, the island that the vessel will primarily serve.

  • LOCH FRISA – The largest loch on the Isle of Mull, located four miles south of Tobermory.
  • GLEN FORSA – A beautiful open glen in the heart of Mull, with the peak of Beinn Talaidh at its head.
  • TOROSAY – Torosay Castle was built in 1858 by architect David Bryce, and it sits on the northwest side of Mull’s Duart Bay.
Oct 14
4

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.