Port Ellen Terminal Development Project

Port Ellen Terminal Development Project 

Update 17 November 2023

As part of the Port Ellen Terminal Development project, we're pleased to confirm that CMAL will complete their programme of ground investigation work as planned on Friday 17 November 2023. This means that our ferry service to/from Port Ellen will resume as planned from Saturday 18 November.  

You can view the latest timetable information in our timetables section and as always, service status and information pages will carry the most up to date information on our sailings.  

With the reinstatement of services from Port Ellen, the taxi service which was in place to support foot passengers travelling between Port Ellen and Port Askaig will end in line with the resumption of ferry services to/from Port Ellen on Saturday 18 November.  

We also communicated recently that preparatory site work has now begun at Kennacraig, ahead of infrastructure upgrades at the port in preparation for the arrival of MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal in the future.  We will keep you informed about the effect of these works in the coming weeks in our New Islay Vessel Port Enabling Works customer update.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has announced that the project to develop Port Ellen Terminal has progressed to the next stage - and a programme of ground investigation work began on 21 August 2023 for approximately 12 weeks.  

Due to the nature of the works, the ferry service to and from Port Ellen will be diverted to Port Askaig between 11 September and 17 November. We will continue to operate our normal Islay services to Port Askaig during the planned closure of Port Ellen. Advance notice will be provided to passengers affected by the Port Ellen closure - and we have shared further details on the service continuity plan here in this dedicated web section.  

You can also find further information via CMAL's press release here .