Tag

CMAL

Sep 04
Love3

CMAL Appoints naValue For New Mull Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 36

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has appointed naValue GmbH to support the concept design of new ferries for the Oban–Craignure route.

The partners will develop and assess different vessel concepts, including low-emission solutions. Stakeholder and community consultation will form part of the process.

naValue is already well known to CMAL. The German consultancy previously supported the New Islay Vessels project and led the concept design for CMAL’s Small Vessel Replacement Programme. Its lead naval architect was also responsible for the design of LOCH SEAFORTH.

Read the CMAL announcement

Aug 24
Love3

CMAL Calls for Continuous Investment in Scotland’s Ferry Network

By 2026 Newsletter week 34

CMAL CEO Kevin Hobbs has called for ferry investment in Scotland to become a continuous programme rather than a series of stop-start investment cycles.

With new vessels entering service, seven electric ferries under construction and further projects progressing, CMAL expects half of the Clyde and Hebrides fleet to be renewed by the end of the decade. Once the vessels currently under construction enter service, the average fleet age should fall below 15 years.

Hobbs stresses that maintaining this momentum requires long-term planning. A ferry typically takes around five years from concept design to entering service, meaning vessels required beyond 2030 need to be planned and procured now.

The same approach is needed for ports, with continuous investment required for maintenance, shore power, electrification and future decarbonisation.

Read Kevin Hobbs’ full perspective:

From the Helm: Maintaining Momentum Through Continuous Investment (Linkedin)

Jul 24
Love3

CMAL Completes Outline Design For Oban Berth Upgrade

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

On its LinkedIn page, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) announced that the outline design for the preferred option for the Oban 1 Berth Upgrades Project has been completed.

The project will improve port infrastructure to support existing ferry operations and accommodate future vessels, including those planned under the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP).

Work is continuing on the Outline Business Case, which is expected to be submitted to Transport Scotland for approval. Subject to approval, detailed design is anticipated to begin towards the end of 2026.

Further work will include shore power proposals and additional ground investigations. CMAL also plans to launch a first public consultation on a revised Harbour Revision Order later in 2026.

Jul 06
Love3

CMAL Takes Ownership of Three Vessels Under Construction at Cemre

By 2026 Newsletter week 27

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has taken ownership of the three remaining vessels under construction at Cemre Shipyard in Türkiye as a precautionary measure to support their completion and delivery.

The vessels, LOCH INDAAL, LOCHMOR and CLAYMORE, are now assets of CMAL, although construction work continues at the Turkish shipyard.

CMAL said the decision was taken against the backdrop of exceptionally challenging economic conditions affecting Cemre and many businesses in the region. The company cited global economic pressures, including the impacts of the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, as well as disruption in the Red Sea.

By taking ownership of the vessels ahead of formal delivery, CMAL aims to protect the project and help ensure the successful completion of the much-needed ferries for Scotland’s island communities.

The announcement follows the successful completion of sea trials by LOCH INDAAL, marking a significant milestone in the construction programme.

Photo: Cemre Shipyard

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.