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 |
| Status | under construction |
| 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 |
|
| Speed | 16.5 Knots (service) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew |
|
| Notes | [1][2] |
MV Isle of Islay is the first of four roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferries being built in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. She was expected to be delivered in 2024 and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Islay routes from Kennacraig.
History
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.[3] Following a public vote, the names Isle of Islay and Loch Indaal were chosen.[4] The first vessel is expected to be delivered in October 2024, with the second in February 2025.[4][5]
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.[6][7]
Layout
The shipyard shows a drive-through ferry design with partially open vehicle deck.[2] 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.[8]
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.[8]
Service
The two vessels were ordered for the Islay service from Kennacraig. They are expected to provide a 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes.[4] They have been designed to deliver a significant reduction in emissions.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Two New Ferries for Islay Reach Next Construction Milestone". Caledonian MacBrayne. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ a b "TBN NB1092". Cemre Shipyard. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ Comms, Clark (2023-01-13). "TWO NEW FERRIES FOR ISLAY REACH NEXT CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ a b c "New Names for Islay Vessels Decided by Public Vote". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "New vessels for Islay". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ "Names announced for new Islay and Jura ferries". BBC News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Contract Finalised for Two New Ferries for The Little Minch". Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ a b "New Islay Vessel Public Meeting" (PDF). Caledonian Maritime Assests Limited. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.