Hebridean Isles, delivered from at Selby in Yorkshire and pictured at Oban in June, is one of the vessels set to be replaced on services to Islay by two ferries now building in Turkey.
MARK NICOLSON
CAL MAC
The construction of two new ferries ordered by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd for Caledonian MacBrayne services to Islay started on 3 October, when the first steel was cut at the Marin Endustri Yard in Cesme, Turkey.
Delivery of the 94.8m pair is due in October 2024 and March 2025 and, with each able to carry 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles, they will bring a 40 per cent increase in vehicle and freight capacity for sailings from the mainland port of Kennacraig to Port Ellen and Port Askaig. The order is part of a ten-year CMAL investment programme, including £580 million from the Scottish Government for a total of 21 new vessels, together with harbour and infrastructure improvements. Currently in use on the Islay routes is Hebridean Isles (1985/3,040gt), one of Cal-Mac’s longest-serving vessels, which has been there since 2001 and now works with more recent arrival Finlaggan (2011/5,626gt). Hebridean Isles missed some summer sailings due to engine problems, with Finlaggan operating an amended solo timetable.