Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has welcomed the confirmation today (Friday, November 2, 2007) by asset owning company Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd that a new ferry will become available on the routes serving Islay from the mainland within four years.

The new ship, which will cost a total of £24.5 million will be built by the Remontowa yard in Gdansk, Poland, and delivery is expected in spring, 2011. The Remontowa yard has already completed two highly successful ferries operated by CalMac on the route from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, MV Argyle and MV Bute.

CalMac’s Managing Director, Lawrie Sinclair said: “The new ship will enable CalMac to provide the additional capacity on the routes from Kennacraig to Islay which is required to meet the demand of a booming economy and to offer improved services to local residents, businesses and tourists. CalMac has consulted extensively with the local community to establish the best level and type of service to be offered. It was very important that we took every opportunity to consult and explain the type of vessel we had in mind and the facilities she will have. The community became involved in the process of achieving the desired outcome at an early stage, and we are confident that we will be able to operate a very high level of service with the new vessel, along with another ship, giving the island the level of service it needs.”
 
The ship will be 89.90m long and capable of 16.5 knots.  She will be a modern Ro-Ro Euro Class B passenger vessel designed to carry 550 passengers, up to 88 cars, as well as coaches, cars and commercial vehicles. The vessel will also be capable of carrying dangerous goods.
Passengers will be accommodated on two well-appointed decks, with access gained at the lower of the two from an enclosed passenger gangway. and modern, comfortable facilities. The design and quality of the passenger accommodation will match the new standards set by the two ships previously built at the Remontowa yard and according to CalMac will provide Islay with a ship to match the islanders’ aspirations. There will be two lifts, one on each side of the ship, to all decks. The ship will also be built in line with DPTAC guidance on facilities for customers whose mobility is impaired.

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Background note:

Until 1 October 2006, Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd provided the majority of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and owned the associated vessels and a number of the harbour facilities.  That company was wholly owned by Scottish Ministers.  These services required an annual revenue deficit grant from the Scottish Executive to maintain lifeline service levels.

In order to comply with European guidelines on State Aids in Maritime Transport, an open public tender was deemed necessary in respect of these ferry services. The then Scottish Executive tendered the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) as a single bundle, with the exception of the Gourock-Dunoon service.

In recognition of the uniqueness of the fleet and in order to ensure a level playing field for all bidders on 1 October 2006  Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd  was split into an asset-owning company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), and a new operating company, CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). This was done by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd transferring its operations (but not its assets) to CFL. Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, now CMAL continues to own all vessels and land-based assets (ports, harbours, etc) and makes them available to an Operator through an open tendering process. From 01 October 2007 CalMac Ferries Limited continues to operate the services having won the tendering process with their bid. Under the terms of the tender CFL is bound to use the vessels of CMAL.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, like CalMac Ferries Ltd and the predecessor to them both, Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.  The Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited Board has appointed an executive management team and supporting staff at its headquarters is in Port Glasgow.

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For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Communications Director, CalMac Ferries Ltd. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited.

Issued:  Friday, November 2, 2007 : 1215.