Battery hybrid ferry takes second sea trial

A power management system and energy management system have also been incorporated into the MV Isle of Islay, a 95m vessel that can will operated in the busiest service route on the Clyde and Hebrides network, according to Cemre Shipyard in Turkey, where she is being outfitted.

Staff from the Scotland-based Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) and CalMac attended the trials, CMAL said. CMAL owns the ferries and harbours, while CalMac operates the ferry services using CMAL’s assets.

Most islands in the west of Scotland rely on services from state-owned CalMac, which operates 36 vessels – the largest fleet in the UK and one that various media reports have said is in desperate need of updating.

“The successful testing of the hybrid system marks a significant step forward in completing this new vessel for Islay and Jura,” said Jim Anderson, Director of Vessels at CMAL. “The team at Cemre have made good progress in the build programme for the vessel, and we continue to work closely with the shipyard as we move into the final stages of the build.”

The vessel will now undergo more outfitting work at the Cemre Marin shipyard and is due to be delivered in the next few weeks.