MV Isle of Islay

History
United Kingdom
Name| Isle of Islay
Namesake| Islay
Owner| Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
Operator| Caledonian MacBrayne
Port of registry| Glasgow
Route| Kennacraig – Islay
Ordered| March 2022
Builder| Cemre Shipyard, Turkey
Cost| £91 million for 2 ferries[1]
Yard number| NB1092
Laid down| 13 January 2023
Launched| 16 March 2024[2]
Status| Fitting out
General characteristics
Type| Ro-Ro vehicle and passenger ferry
Tonnage| Deadweight: 750
Displacement| 3830
Length| 94.8 m (311 ft)
Beam| 18.7 m (61 ft)
Draught| 4 m (13 ft)
Deck clearance| 5.1
Propulsion|

* 2x  Voith Schneiders (at the stern)
* 2x Bow Thrusters

Speed| 16.5 Knots (service)
Capacity|

* 450 passengers
* 107 cars or
* 14 HGVs

Crew|

* 27 crew
* 27 crew cabins + 4 trainee cabins

Notes| [1][3]

MV Isle of Islay is a roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry being constructed for use by Caledonian MacBrayne on routes on the west coast of Scotland. She is the first of four ferries being built in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and is expected to be delivered in early 2025 for service on routes linking Islay with Kennacraig on the mainland.

## History

[edit]

A contract to build two ferries for the Islay service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in March 2022.[1] The first steel was cut on 3 October 2022. Her keel was laid on 13 January 2023, the same week that the first steel was cut for the second vessel.[4] Following a public vote, the names Isle of Islay and Loch Indaal were chosen.[5] Isle of Islay was launched on 16 March 2024,[2] and was expected to be delivered by the end of that year,[6] however this was later altered to the first quarter of 2025.[7] The second vessel, MV Loch Indaal, was expected to be delivered in February 2025,[5][8] however this has now been delayed to the second quarter of 2025.[7]

A £115m contract for two further ferries of the same design for CalMac's Skye, Harris and North Uist service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in early 2023.[9][10]

## Layout

[edit]

The shipyard shows a drive-through ferry design with partially open vehicle deck.[3] She will have two mezzanine car decks, one being a single lane and the other having two lanes. There will be the normal five car lanes and four commercial vehicle lanes for a CalMac vessel. Electric charging points will be available on the car deck.[11]

The stern ramp will be able to change position depending on the port at which the ferry is berthed to allow ease of loading. This is a very similar design to the MV Glen Sannox, which is also under construction for CalMac.[11]

## Service

[edit]

The two vessels were ordered for the Islay services linking Port Askaig and Port Ellen with Kennacraig on the mainland. They are expected to provide a 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes compared to the current service provided by MV Finlaggan and MV Hebridean Isles.[5] They have been designed to deliver a significant reduction in emissions.[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Two New Ferries for Islay Reach Next Construction Milestone". Caledonian MacBrayne. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
2. ^ a b "MV Isle of Islay successfully launched". CMAL. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
3. ^ a b "Isle of Islay NB1092". Cemre Shipyard. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
4. ^ Comms, Clark (2023-01-13). "Two New Ferries for Islay Reach Next Construction Milestone". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
5. ^ a b c "New Names for Islay Vessels Decided by Public Vote". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
6. ^ Matthew Fulton (9 August 2024). "New CalMac ferry built in Turkey delayed until 'end of year'". STV News. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
7. ^ a b Kevin Hobbs (CMAL) (30 September 2024). "Update on New Vessels for Islay & Little Minch" (PDF). Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
8. ^ "New vessels for Islay". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
9. ^ "Names announced for new Islay and Jura ferries". BBC News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
10. ^ "Contract Finalised for Two New Ferries for The Little Minch". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
11. ^ a b "New Islay Vessel Public Meeting" (PDF). Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Ships of Caledonian MacBrayne

Current fleet

* Ali Cat
* Argyle
* Argyll Flyer
* Bute
* Caledonian Isles
* Carvoria
* Catriona
* Chieftain
* Clansman
* Coruisk
* Finlaggan
* Glen Sannox
* Hallaig
* Hebrides
* Isle of Arran
* Isle of Cumbrae
* Isle of Lewis
* Isle of Mull
* Loch Alainn
* Loch Bhrusda
* Loch Buie
* Loch Dunvegan
* Loch Frisa
* Loch Fyne
* Loch Linnhe
* Loch Portain
* Loch Ranza
* Loch Riddon
* Loch Seaforth
* Loch Shira
* Loch Striven
* Loch Tarbert
* Lochinvar
* Lochnevis
* Lord of the Isles

Former fleet

Scrapping in progress|

* Hebridean Isles

Scrapped|

* Juno (1974)
* Jupiter (1973)

Sold into service|

* Arran
* Broadford
* Bruernish
* Bute (1954)
* Caledonia
* Canna
* Clansman (1964)
* Claymore
* Coll
* Columba
* Coruisk (1969)
* Cowal
* Eigg
* Glen Sannox (1957)
* Hebrides (1963)
* Iona
* Keppel
* Kilbrannan
* Kyleakin
* Laig Bay
* Largs
* Lochalsh
* Lochmor
* Maid of Argyll
* Maid of Ashton
* Maid of Cumbrae
* Maid of Skelmorlie
* Morvern
* Pioneer (1974)
* Portree
* Raasay
* Rhum
* Saturn
* Scalpay
* Suilven

Under construction

* Claymore
* Glen Rosa
* Isle of Islay
* Loch Indaal
* Lochmor

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