Turkish Yard Starts Construction of Two Ferries for Scotland
Keel laying and steel-cutting ceremonies for two new ferries being built for Scotland's Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) were held this week at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Turkey.
The first ferry in the production timeline has had its keel laid, while steel-cutting for the second vessel has also begun – three weeks earlier than planned.
The new, 94.8-meter vehicle/passenger ferries will each have capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles, providing a combined 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes [in Scotland] and improving the overall resilience of the wider fleet.
The first vessel is expected to be delivered by October 2024 and will enter service following sea trials and crew familiarisation. The second will follow in early 2025.
Scotland's Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “This is a very welcome milestone for this vital project, which brings us another step closer to adding new ferries to the fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides.
"The Islay ferry routes are some of the busiest services for freight on the west coast and the new vessels will help to grow the island’s economy, as well as bring added resilience to the wider network.
"The Scottish Government is committed to commissioning new ferries to support our island communities, and it’s encouraging to see progress on bringing these vessels into service on time and budget.”
Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL, added, "The Cemre yard is delivering what it said it would, reaching two important milestones within the agreed timeline. Keel laying is a significant milestone in the ship’s life, marking the start of the construction of the vessel, fitting the first of many units to be fabricated and erected during construction. And the fact that we are getting underway with the second ferry means the shipyard’s pipeline approach is working well, following many hours of intensive design and development.”
The £91 million contract to build the two ferries was awarded by CMAL to Cemre Marin Endustri in Turkey in March 2022 following a competitive tender.
The Islay vessels form part of a program 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 harbor infrastructure with future options and being considered through the emerging Islands Connectivity Plan.
Carbon reduction has been a key factor in vessel design and the new ferries are expected to deliver a significant reduction in emissions, the owner said.
CMAL owns 26 harbors on the west coast of Scotland which support the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS). CMAL owns 37 ferries.
Thirty-two vessels are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd on routes to the islands and peninsulas of the west of Scotland. Five vessels are leased to Serco Northlink Ferries for Orkney and Shetland routes.
