CalMac’s hired ferry running late for delayed Stornoway berthing trials

22 October 2023

CalMac’s chartered catamaran, MV Alfred, will finally head to Lewis on Monday after long delayed repairs were completed.

She is CalMac’s first preference vessel to cover Stornoway - Ullapool freight sailings for the first part of MV Seaforth annual overhaul absence up to 2 November when another hired ship, Manx-owned, MV Arrow, is due to step in.

Maritime classification society, Lloyds Register, approved the Alfred for sea-going duties following the replacement of broken components. Spare parts ordered from abroad by her owners, Pentland Ferries, were delayed at customs until Wednesday.

The 5,499 tonne ship is now due to undertake linkspan berthing trials at Stornoway on Tuesday - four weeks later than initially arranged.

Following tests in April she was deemed suitable for Ullapool but her skipper may wish to carry out berthing familiarisation practice before sailing with a full load of trucks.

If successful, she may pick up the freight service possibly on Tuesday night but apparently the timescale seems more likely to occur on Wednesday.

The smaller MV Hebridean Isles - which is now back in working order following months-long repairs with a £2.5 million price tag - will continue operating two runs on the freight route until the Alfred takes over.

Heb Isles remains the designated back-up ship and will stay on the Stornoway service while trials take place.