New ferry to enter service but CalMac vessel shortage still critical

The first of four new CalMac ships built in Turkey is expected to enter service later - but the ferry operator says pressure on its west coast network remains critical.

MV Isle of Islay was due to carry its first passengers from Islay on Friday but the sailing was delayed by a technical problem and "snagging" issues.

The faults have now been fixed, bringing some relief to the state-owned ferry firm which since last week has been forced to pare back services as it faces an "unprecedented" shortage of ships.

Five out of CalMac's 11 major vessels remain out of action along with the chartered catamaran Alfred and two smaller ferries, either due to faults or scheduled maintenance.

Isle of Islay is due to set off on its first passenger sailing from Port Askaig on Islay at 12:30, arriving at Kennacraig on the mainland about two hours later.

The 85m-long ship, which can carry 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 HGVs, will join MV Finlaggan in serving the island, increasing the route's capacity by 40% when it is fully operational.

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said: "Islanders will have spotted her out on trials over the past few weeks, but this will be the first time they will get to travel on board.

"The difference the vessel will make to available capacity – 40% - will be extremely welcome on this popular and busy route, both for customers and for freight passengers."

MV Isle of Islay was ordered from Turkey's Cemre shipyard four years ago and was originally due for delivery in late 2024, but a series of delays have been blamed on various factors including the war in Ukraine and the Turkish earthquake.

The ship and three others still under construction are smaller than CalMac's last new vessel, the dual-fuel Glen Sannox, and use a conventional diesel-electric propulsion system with some battery power available while manoeuvring.

But in other ways the new ships, ordered by ferries procurement agency CMAL, represent a significant departure in design terms.

The vessels have a deeper draught - the amount of hull below the waterline - than most CalMac ships, allowing for a sleeker, more fuel efficient shape. Dredging and other modifications have been required at some harbours.

They are also the first large CalMac ships fitted with Voith Schneider propulsor units - spinning blades that hang vertically from a drum - rather than traditional screw propellers.

Such systems, which do away with the need for a rudder, are already used on smaller CalMac ferries, making them highly manoeuvrable.

CalMac ferries still out of action

Elsewhere, CalMac's west coast ferry network remains under pressure with some vessels now being switched to different routes to try to maintain services.

MV Isle of Mull has been redeployed to serve Coll, Tiree and Colonsay.

MV Clansman will operate a service from Uig on Skye, providing sailings to North and South Uist and Barra.

Passengers from Harris have been asked to travel via Stornoway to Ullapool where possible.

Four vessels under annual maintenance.

Four vessels with technical problems.