Scotland's island visitors still facing delays 

BTN News
Monday, 06 May 2024

Scotland's west coast islands have been suffering ongoing ferry access problems, mainly caused by old equipment breaking down and delays to its ferry replacement program.


The car/passenger ferries are in many cases the only way to access the islands and also the only way islanders can access the mainland.

In the past few years, two new ferries being built for the government's CalMac operator by a Scottish government-owned shipbuilder in Glasgow have been delayed and currently are well over budget.

Eventually, it was decided to allow a Turkish shipbuilder to supply four of the country's needed ferries and one, the MV Isle of Islay, was launched in March, with the second, the MV Loch Indaal, due in June.

Both vessels need to be fitted out before they can enter service, with dates for that milestone set for 2025.

Similar to its sister vessel, MV Loch Indaal will have capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.

Two further Turkish vessels, which are currently unnamed, are due to be delivered to CalMac in June and October next year.

Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL (the vessels' Scottish government owner) said: “With the launch of Isle of Islay in March, and Glen Rosa (one of the two Glasgow-built shells) last month, Loch Indaal will be the third vessel to launch within three months. We now are on schedule and on budget with all four Turkish vessels, which will be welcome news for islanders.”

Scotland's Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop added: “The MV Loch Indaal launch is another important milestone in the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering six new major vessels into service by 2026.

“I have no doubt the communities and businesses on (the islands of) Islay and Jura are looking forward to a more resilient and modern ferry service, with further vessels set to bring similar improvements to other parts of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services network.”

The Turkish vessels will bring additional capacity of 40 per cent for vehicles and freight travelling to and from Islay, which will help meet increasing demand from visitors as well as supporting local industries and the Islay economy.

Scotland's island visitors still facing delays 

BTN News
Monday, 06 May 2024

Scotland's west coast islands have been suffering ongoing ferry access problems, mainly caused by old equipment breaking down and delays to its ferry replacement program.


The car/passenger ferries are in many cases the only way to access the islands and also the only way islanders can access the mainland.

In the past few years, two new ferries being built for the government's CalMac operator by a Scottish government-owned shipbuilder in Glasgow have been delayed and currently are well over budget.

Eventually, it was decided to allow a Turkish shipbuilder to supply four of the country's needed ferries and one, the MV Isle of Islay, was launched in March, with the second, the MV Loch Indaal, due in June.

Both vessels need to be fitted out before they can enter service, with dates for that milestone set for 2025.

Similar to its sister vessel, MV Loch Indaal will have capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.

Two further Turkish vessels, which are currently unnamed, are due to be delivered to CalMac in June and October next year.

Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL (the vessels' Scottish government owner) said: “With the launch of Isle of Islay in March, and Glen Rosa (one of the two Glasgow-built shells) last month, Loch Indaal will be the third vessel to launch within three months. We now are on schedule and on budget with all four Turkish vessels, which will be welcome news for islanders.”

Scotland's Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop added: “The MV Loch Indaal launch is another important milestone in the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering six new major vessels into service by 2026.

“I have no doubt the communities and businesses on (the islands of) Islay and Jura are looking forward to a more resilient and modern ferry service, with further vessels set to bring similar improvements to other parts of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services network.”

The Turkish vessels will bring additional capacity of 40 per cent for vehicles and freight travelling to and from Islay, which will help meet increasing demand from visitors as well as supporting local industries and the Islay economy.