MV Loch Indaal

History
United Kingdom
NameLoch Indaal
NamesakeLoch Indaal
OwnerCaledonian Maritime Assets Limited
OperatorCaledonian MacBrayne
Port of registryGlasgow
RouteKennacraig – Islay
OrderedMarch 2022
BuilderCemre Shipyard, Turkey
Cost£91 million for 2 ferries[1]
Yard numberNB1093
Laid down24 May 2023[3]
Launched8 June 2024[2]
Statusunder construction
General characteristics
TypeRo-Ro vehicle and passenger ferry
TonnageDeadweight: 750
Displacement3830
Length94.8 m (311 ft)
Beam18.7 m (61 ft)
Draught4 m (13 ft)
Deck clearance5.1
Propulsion
Speed16.5 Knots (service)
Capacity
  • 450 passengers
  • 107 cars or
  • 14 HGVs
Crew
  • 27 crew
  • 27 crew cabins + 4 trainee cabins
Notes[1][4]

MV Loch Indaal 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 second of four ferries being built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and is expected to be delivered in 2025 for service on routes linking Islay with Kennacraig on the mainland. She is named for the sea loch of Loch Indaal, which lies on the west coast of Islay. The loch is well known as the inspiration for the folk song "The Lights of Lochindaal" by Iain Simpson.[5]

History

A contract to build two ferries for the Islay service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in March 2022.[1] Following a public vote, the names Isle of Islay and Loch Indaal were chosen.[6] Loch Indaal was launched on 8 June 2024,[2] and is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025.[7]

The first vessel, MV Isle of Islay, is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2025.[7] A £115m contract for two further ferries of a very similar design to be used on CalMac's Skye, Harris and North Uist services was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in early 2023.[8][9]

Layout

The shipyard shows a drive-through ferry design with partially open vehicle deck.[4] 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.[10]

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.[10]

Service

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.[6] They have been designed to deliver a significant reduction in emissions.[1]

References

  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 "Calmac ferry launched at Turkish shipyard ahead of delivery in Scotland". STV News. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  3. ^ "New vessels for Islay". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  4. ^ a b "Loch Indaal NB1093". Cemre Shipyard. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Help us name the new Islay vessels". Caledonian Maritime Assets. 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b "New Names for Islay Vessels Decided by Public Vote". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  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. ^ "Names announced for new Islay and Jura ferries". BBC News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Contract Finalised for Two New Ferries for The Little Minch". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  10. ^ a b "New Islay Vessel Public Meeting" (PDF). Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.