MV Loch Indaal
MV Loch Indaal is the second of four roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferries being built in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. She is expected to be delivered in 2025 and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Islay routes from Kennacraig. She is named for the sea loch of Loch Indaal, which lies on the west coast of Islay. The loch is well known as the inspiration for the folk song "The Lights of Lochindaal" by Iain Simpson.[4]
History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name | Loch Indaal |
Namesake | Loch Indaal |
Owner | Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited |
Operator | Caledonian MacBrayne |
Port of registry | Glasgow |
Route | Kennacraig – Islay |
Ordered | March 2022 |
Builder | Cemre Shipyard, Turkey |
Cost | £91 million for 2 ferries[1] |
Yard number | NB1092 |
Laid down | 24 May 2023[2] |
Status | under construction |
General characteristics | |
Type | Ro-Ro vehicle and passenger ferry |
Tonnage | Deadweight: 750 |
Displacement | 3830 |
Length | 94.8 m (311 ft) |
Beam | 18.7 m (61 ft) |
Draught | 4 m (13 ft) |
Deck clearance | 5.1 |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 16.5 Knots (service) |
Capacity |
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Crew |
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Notes | [1][3] |
History
A contract to build two ferries for the Islay service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in March 2022.[1] Following a public vote, the names Isle of Islay and Loch Indaal were chosen.[5] The first vessel, MV Isle of Islay, is expected to be delivered in October 2024, with Loch Indaal following in February 2025.[5][2]
A £115m contract for two further ferries of a very similar design to be used on CalMac's Skye, Harris and North Uist services was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in early 2023.[6][7]
Layout
The shipyard shows a drive-through ferry design with partially open vehicle deck.[3] She will have two mezzanine car decks, one being a single lane and the other having two lanes. There will be the normal five car lanes and four commercial vehicle lanes for a CalMac vessel. Electric charging points will be available on the car deck.[8]
The stern ramp will be able to change position depending on the port at which the ferry is berthed to allow ease of loading. This is a very similar design to the MV Glen Sannox, which is also under construction for CalMac.[8]
Service
The two vessels were ordered for the Islay service, connecting Port Ellen and Port Askaig with Kennacraig. They are expected to provide a 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes.[5] They have been designed to deliver a significant reduction in emissions.[1]
References
- "Two New Ferries for Islay Reach Next Construction Milestone". Caledonian MacBrayne. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "New vessels for Islay". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- "TBN NB1092". Cemre Shipyard. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- Iain Simpson. "Lights of Lochindaal". Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- "New Names for Islay Vessels Decided by Public Vote". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "Names announced for new Islay and Jura ferries". BBC News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "Contract Finalised for Two New Ferries for The Little Minch". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- "New Islay Vessel Public Meeting" (PDF). Caledonian Maritime Assests Limited. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.