CMAL takes delivery of Islay ferry

The ferry was handed over to CMAL during a ceremony at Cemre Marin Endustri in Yalova, Turkey, where the vessel build was completed, and has now received Maritime Coastguard Agency approval and passenger certification.

“Taking ownership of the MV Isle of Islay marks a great step forward in our plan to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet,” said Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL.

“Her arrival in Scotland and subsequent entry into service will be welcomed by the island communities.”

New ferry fleet

MV Isle of Islay is the first of four ferries being constructed at the Turkish yard and will serve Islay and Jura once it enters service.

The vessel will be joined later this year by sister vessel MV Loch Indaal, with MV Lochmor and MV Claymore to follow as part of the same vessel build programme.

Following handover, the ferry will be prepared for a repositioning voyage from the Sea of Marmara to Scotland. The two-week journey will be undertaken by operator CalMac, after which the vessel will undergo crew familiarisation and local operational trials ahead of entry into service.

Duncan Mackison, chief executive of CalMac, described delivery as “an exciting milestone in efforts to modernise CalMac’s major vessel fleet,” adding that the new ferry and her sister vessels will enhance resilience and service reliability across multiple island routes.

The ferry has capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles, increasing vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes by 40%.

CMAL’s build programme underlines continued investment in ferry renewal, vessel build capability and the wider industry focus on vessel electrification within future fleet planning.