A deal to purchase a ferry for deployment on the Clyde and Hebrides network has been agreed, bringing additional resilience to the fleet, says a release from Transport Scotland.
Norled’s UTNE has been earmarked for the Oban-Craignure route, and communities in Skye and the Western Isles will also benefit as a result of the cascade of vessels elsewhere on the network.
UTNE was designed by LMG Marin (LMG 40-DE type) and delivered in 2015.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has invited four shipyards to bid for the contract to build two new ferries for Islay:
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.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited has appointed German ferry design consultancy Navalue to lead the concept design of its Small Vessel Replacement Programme.
Navalue will provide consultancy services for the concept design stage of the programme, which will see several small vehicle and passenger vessels replaced on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network.
CMAL and Navalue will investigate and evaluate the feasibility of designing low emission ferries to be in line with the Scottish Government climate change commitments.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has awarded a contract to international design and engineering firm BMT to provide consultancy services for the concept design of a new passenger ferry for the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan routes.
The new ferry will be designed to replace the vessels currently operated on the routes by CalMac.
The £155,000 contract is part of the Gourock Harbour Infrastructure & Vessels Project, which is a partnership between Transport Scotland, CMAL, CalMac and Argyll and Bute Council. The project covers the redevelopment of Gourock Ferry Terminal and works to the harbour infrastructures at Dunoon and Kilcreggan, as well as the delivery of new passenger-only vessels.
When complete, it will provide a modern, reliable and resilient lifeline passenger ferry service between the terminals at Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan.
With a strong focus on reducing the environmental footprint, BMT and CMAL will investigate and evaluate the application of energy efficiency solutions to make the new vessel design more sustainable while still offering the high level of safety and reliability expected from a lifeline ferry service.
CMAL has published an updated three-year corporate plan.
The plan highlights the key projects CMAL intends to undertake and outlines aspirations during the next decade to address the lack of investment in ferries and harbour infrastructure since the turn of the century. Major investment is needed to ensure lifeline services match expectations.
Funding is a key component of the delivery of the many projects outlined in the three-year plan, and in future years. CMAL will work closely with its sponsoring body, Transport Scotland, and Scottish Ministers to secure the necessary funding. CMAL receives its capital funding from the Scottish Government in the form of voted loans for vessels and grant-in-aid for port infrastructure.
Of particular interest is the three-year plan for the fleet, on page 26 of the three-year corporate plan.
Flensburg-built LOCH SEAFORTH, which operates the route between Ullapool and Stornoway, was financed by Lloyds Banking Group and has been leased to CMAL for the past five years through an operational lease agreement.
“Purchasing the Loch Seaforth outright will also bring considerable financial benefits by delivering savings to the public purse over the longer term when compared with a more expensive leasing arrangement,” said Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse.
When plans for a replacement vessel were approved by the Scottish Government in 2011, CMAL sought proposals for funding in the form of lease options from banks and other financial institutions to finance procurement of the vessel. Following a tender process governed by EU procurement rules, Lloyds Banking Group was appointed to provide the operating lease.
Ferguson’s Bosses Welcome an Investigation into The Future of Shipyard – And Insist That Business Is Booming
Ferguson’s bosses have welcomed an investigation into a delayed £97m ferry contract and the future of yard – and insist that business is booming.
Company chief executive Gerry Marshall has broken his silence after a senior Scottish Government minister confirmed a further setback in the delivery of the two new CalMac vessels which are under construction at the Newark site.
GLEN SANNOX is now 14 months late. Hull 802 is around 20 months behind schedule.
Ferguson’s and CMAL are in dispute over the extent of changes made to the design of the ships.
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL) last month launched legal action against Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) in a row over a £97 million contract to build two new dual-fuel ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.
Both ships look set to be months behind schedule.
Central to the dispute is the cost of building the two new ferries.
FMEL claims that the operator has demanded hundreds of design changes.
CMAL insists the work is covered by the original contract.
A deal has been agreed for the three passenger ferries serving the Northern Isles to be purchased outright by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) with loan funding from the Scottish Government.
The HAMNAVOE, HROSSEY and HJALTLAND, which have previously been leased from Royal Bank of Scotland, will be taken into CMAL ownership.
Serco NorthLink Ferries will continue to operate the services until 31st October 2019 under the extended contract.
Photo: Northlink Ferries