en.Wedoany.com Reported - Scottish ferry infrastructure company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has taken ownership of three unfinished ferries from Turkey's Cemre Shipyard, a move aimed at securing delivery schedules for vessels serving Scotland's island communities.
The Scottish government-owned company said that MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor, and MV Claymore are now part of CMAL's assets, although formal handover has not yet taken place. This arrangement follows exceptionally challenging economic conditions at Cemre Shipyard and other businesses in the region, compounded by global market pressures and disruptions in the Red Sea. CMAL stated that the early transfer of ownership is intended to mitigate risks, protect public investment, and maintain construction progress.
MV Loch Indaal has completed sea trials. CMAL Chief Executive Kevin Hobbs said the top priority remains completing construction for the communities that rely on these ferries. MV Loch Indaal is the second Islay ferry built at Cemre, following MV Isle of Islay. MV Lochmor and MV Claymore will serve the Little Minch route between Uig, Lochmaddy, and Tarbert on Harris.
The two Islay ferries were ordered under a £91 million (approximately $120 million) contract awarded to Cemre in March 2022. They are 94.8-meter vehicle-passenger ferries designed to carry up to 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles. The Little Minch project, also under construction at Cemre, is expected to cost around £115 million (approximately $152 million), including port works and management costs.
The ferries for both projects are being built to broadly similar specifications. CalMac Chief Executive Duncan Mackison said the change in ownership will not have a direct impact on services. With the arrival of MV Isle of Islay, two major ferries will operate as resilience vessels this summer. Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, said there is no indication of future problems at the shipyard itself and described the move as a prudent response to changing economic conditions.
CMAL is a company wholly owned by the Scottish Government, owning vessels, ports, harbors, and related infrastructure for ferry services on Scotland's west coast, the Firth of Clyde, and the Northern Isles. Cemre Shipyard is a Turkish shipbuilding company headquartered in Yalova. CalMac Ferries Limited operates ferry services under contract in Scotland. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the local government authority for the Western Isles.
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