Caledonian Maritime Assets

On 17 December 2012, the world's first seagoing roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger diesel–electric hybrid ferry was launched by CMAL on the Clyde. MV Hallaig incorporates a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and lithium-ion battery power. The 135-tonne ferry is nearly 150 feet long and can accommodate 150 passengers, 23 cars or two heavy-goods vehicles.[12] She began service between Sconser on Skye and Raasay in the summer of 2013.[13] A second hybrid ferry, MV Lochinvar, was launched in May 2013 and initially operated on the Tarbert (Loch Fyne) - Portavadie route, currently operating on the Lochaline - Fishnish route.[13] A third, to be named MV Catriona,[14] was launched in spring 2016 and operates on the Claonaig - Lochranza route, additionally to Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Portavadie in the winter.[13]

CMAL completed the redevelopment of Brodick ferry terminal. The redevelopment included an entirely new pier with linkspan and airbridge, a second berth with concrete ramp, a new two-storey terminal building with bus station and car marshalling space. The old linkspan was removed and the causeway transformed into an outdoor seating area.[15]

CMAL was commissioned to carry out a feasibility study for Scottish Enterprise to evaluate the technical and commercial possibilities of using hydrogen fuel cells to enable the development of zero-emission ferries.[16] Along with Orkney Islands Council, Ballard Power Systems, Kongsberg Maritime and others, CMAL are part of the HySeas III consortium hoping to demonstrate that fuel cells can be integrated with a marine hybrid electric drive system.[17] The project hopes to develop a vessel to operate between Kirkwall and Shapinsay.[18]

In September 2015, it was announced that CMAL would order two ferries from Ferguson Marine Engineering (FMEL).[19] The vessels will be able to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine diesel, future-proofing them for tighter sulphur emissions regulations. They will be the largest commercial vessels to be built on the Clyde since 2001. The first, named MV Glen Sannox, was due to enter service at Ardrossan in 2018,[20] with the second, named MV Glen Rosa, following a few months later.[21][22] Both vessels have been delayed, with the shipyard going into administration in August 2019.[23] The 'ferry fiasco' is an ongoing political scandal in Scotland, exposing management failures across all parties involved.

At Uig and Ardrossan for the dual-fuel vessels under construction.[24]

CMAL's corporate plan includes ambitious proposals to modernise the fleet which could see 18 new ships either delivered or on order and widespread work on pier and port infrastructure by 2024.[24][25][26]

This project is to replace the oldest of the Loch class, in two phases over ten years. The new vessels would be more environmentally friendly and meet higher regulatory standards.[27] The first phase will be for the building of 7 new vessels for the following routes[28]SVRP public presentation:

1. Colintraive – Rhubodach - MV Loch Dunvegan
2. Sconser – Raasay - MV Hallaig (to be cascaded, probably to Cumbrae, to replace MV Loch Riddon as second summer vessel, with a possibility for a higher passenger capacity)
3. Iona – Fionnphort - MV Loch Buie
4. Tarbert (Loch Fyne) – Portavadie - MV Isle of Cumbrae
5. Lochaline – Fishnish - MV Lochinvar (to be cascaded elsewhere in the network)
6. Tobermory – Kilchoan - MV Loch Tarbert
7. Tayinloan – Gigha - MV Loch Ranza

The second phase, which hasn't begun the design and port feasibility study yet, will be for the following vessels and routes:

1. Barra – Eriskay - MV Loch Alainn
2. Berneray – Leverburgh - MV Loch Portain
3. Mallaig – Armadale - MV Loch Fyne
4. Oban – Lismore - MV Loch Striven

This project is to replace MV Hebridean Isles and MV Finlaggan (to be cascaded elsewhere in the network).[29] On 3 October 2022 the first steel was cut for the first vessel, named MV Isle of Islay, at Cemre Shipyard, Turkey. On the week of 13 January 2023 the first vessels' keel was laid and the second vessels' first steel was cut.[30] On 24 May 2023 the keel for MV Loch Indaal was laid.[31] The vessels utilise Voith Schneider Propulsion and bow thrusters. Voting for the names of the two vessels was launched on 24 April 2023, where the public was asked to pick two names, with the following options:

• Isle of Islay—the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
• Pioneer—a ferry built in 1974 serving West Loch Tarbert and Port Ellen on Islay. She was the longest vessel to operate this far up the loch.
• Loch Gruinart—a sea loch on the north coast of Islay.
• Loch Indaal—a sea loch south of Loch Gruinart, and inspiration for the folk song “The Lights of Lochindaal” by Iain Simpson.
• Laggan Bay—home to ‘The Big Strand’, a five-mile-long beach, located on the southeast entrance to Loch Indaal.
• Machir Bay—a small bay on the west coast of Islay.

MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal were selected.[32]

This project is to replace MV Hebrides (to be cascaded elsewhere in the network) and split the routes in the summer, having one vessel going to Lochmaddy and the other to Tarbert, giving more resilience to the fleet and the Outer Hebrides. The 2 vessels will be of the same design as the 2 new Islay vessels and will be built at the same shipyard in Turkey.

CMAL confirmed on 19 May 2023 that the first steel for the first vessel will be cut on 24 May 2023.[33] On 20 September 2023, the keel was laid for the first vessel, while the first steel was cut for the second vessel. Public voting for the name for the two vessels will begin later in 2023.[34]

Replacements for the three passenger-only fleet serving Dunoon and Kilcreggan.[35] This project also includes the redevelopment of all three terminals and related infrastructure.[36]

Design stage for a new vessel to replace MV Lord of the Isles.[37] This also includes a new terminal at Gasay, near Lochboisdale, South Uist, as the current pier is getting to the end of its life.[38]

'Design project' phase for two major units.[26]

'Design stage' for two vessels, possibly with some passenger capacity.[26]