CalMac’s latest ferry has been launched in Turkey.
MV Isle of Islay hit the water today during a ceremony at the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova.
The £45 million vessel is the first of four similar vehicle-passenger ships being built at the yard for Caledonian MacBrayne’s west coast network.
MV Isle of Islay and her sister make up the first pair and will serve Islay and Jura.
The Islay will remain in Turkey for fitting-out until October when she is due ot be handed-over to government agency, CMAL, and then CalMac for their sea trials and crew familiarisation.
The second vessel, named MV Loch Indaal, will follow in early 2025.
MV Isle of Islay was ready to launch in November but remained on the slipway for another four months to gain extra outfitting time ashore as significantly more progress can be achieved while the vessel is out of the water.
The two new ferries will have a clear focus on freight, as well as sufficient passenger seating and spaces to meet anticipated demand, with capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.
This aims to provide a combined 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes and will improve the overall resilience of the wider fleet.
The Islay ferries form part of a programme of investment by CMAL, funded through Scottish Government commitments to capital investment of around £700 million in ferry infrastructure and related services over the five years from 2021 to 2026.
Wider plans will deliver other new small and major vessels for the fleet and upgrades of harbour infrastructure with future options being considered through the emerging Islands Connectivity Plan
MV Isle of Islay -
16 March 2024