Ferry Archives - Am Paipear

First steel cut on new North Uist ferry

February 16, 2016

Visualisation of one of the new vessels. Photo – CMAL

Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek MacKay, has marked the formal start of construction of two new 100-metre ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides network at Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) on the Clyde.

Mr Mackay started the computer-guided laser to cut the ceremonial first steel for the vessels, currently known as Hull 801 and Hull 802, and met some of the workforce who will help build them.

One of the new 100-metre vessels (pictured) will service the North Uist – Skye – Harris triangle route.

A £97 million contract for the construction of the ferries was signed in October 2015, securing around 150 existing jobs in the Port Glasgow and Inverclyde area. New jobs will also be created at the shipyard as a result of FMEL winning the contract, as part of the company’s overall growth strategy.

FMEL will undertake the detailed design and construction work of the new ‘dual fuel’ vessels in Scotland, as well as their testing, equipping, launching and delivery. The new vessels will join the fleet, owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).

CMAL representatives discussed the design of the new ferries with members of the community from North Uist and Benbecula earlier this month. The first is expected to be delivered in May 2018, with the second vessel following a few months later.

Mr Mackay said: “I’m delighted to help cut the first steel for these new ferries, marking the start of construction on this massive project that has brought large shipbuilding back to the Clyde.

“The Scottish Government is committed to creating the vital jobs needed to boost local economies and help stimulate growth across Scotland. This £97 million contract means FMEL can retain its 150-strong workforce, as well as take on more staff and apprentices.

“The ferries themselves will be welcome additions to the Clyde and Hebrides network, helping the Scottish Government to continue to provide safe and reliable services for the communities that depend on them.

“The vessels will also be ‘dual-fuel ferries’, allowing them to use cleaner fuel and future-proofing them for the advent of tighter regulations around sulphur emissions.

“I look forward to seeing these new ferries join the West Coast ferry fleet in the future.”

FMEL Managing Director, Liam Campbell said: “Cutting first steel on these two vessels from CMAL signifies an important milestone for the yard and will allow the workforce to steadily grow over the next years. Our new facility will provide highly efficient state-of-the-art shipbuilding and fabrication services to customers in all sectors.

“We look forward to working closely with CMAL and CalMac on this project to ensure world class vessels for a world class owner and operator”.

Erik Østergaard, Chair of CMAL said: “Today’s steel cutting ceremony marks the first important milestone in the construction of these innovative dual-fuel ferries, as work gets underway to build the first vessel.

“Hulls 801 and 802 will become the latest vessels in our fleet and strengthen our commitment to using cutting edge technology and design to create sustainable and reliable ferries and we look forward to the first of these vessels going into service in 2018. This construction project is the latest step in our ambitious fleet renewal plans to ensure our ferries continue to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

MacNeil writes to CalMac to clarify Sound of Harris situation

June 9, 2015

Angus Brendan MacNeil MP has written to Martin Dorchester, Managing Director of Caledonian MacBrayne, to ask for clarification surrounding the Sound of Harris ferry.

Mr MacNeil has been contacted by a constituent who has been unable to make a booking on the Sound of Harris route from Saturday 13th June.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said: “CalMac is currently not accepting bookings for the Berneray to Leverburgh route. Having checked the CalMac website, all sailings on the Sound of Harris route are listed as ‘not available’ from Saturday 13th June.

“No other information is given on the website, however, I have been told that this may be due to a temporary change in vessel, in the meantime people are being left ‘high and dry’.

“This route is often subject to tidal restrictions which reduces the number of sailings, CalMac need to clarify why they are not accepting bookings and they must also ensure that any changes to the vessel does not lead to a further reduction in the carrying capacity.

“I am also writing to MCA to ask if they have added further restrictions to the Sound of Harris and if so why.”

MP asks CalMac to explain lack of sailings to Lochboisdale

March 2, 2015

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil, is contacting Martin Dorchester, Managing Director, Caledonian MacBrayne, regarding the recent lack of ferry sailings into Lochboisdale.

Commenting, Mr MacNeil MP said: “There is understandable mounting frustration in the community that the ferry is not calling into Lochboisdale. This has caused difficulties for travellers and also local businesses who depend on the ferry to transport goods.

“We need to know if the reason for this disruption is weather related or an issue with the vessel. If it is weather related, CalMac should take steps to amend the timetable to avoid the bad weather.”

Morrison: Lochboisdale-Mallaig route must be in ferry tender document

February 19, 2015

Alasdair Morrison has called for a Lochboisdale-Mallaig service to be in the tender document for ferry services.

Labour candidate for Na h-Eileanan Siar, Alasdair Morrison, has written to the SNP urging them to support him in a cross-party initiative that would focus on improving ferry services to Uist and Barra. He has also demanded that the Lochboisdale – Mallaig route be an integral part of the tender document the Scottish Government is due to publish shortly.

See text of letter to Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus MacNeil MP below:

Dear Angus and Alasdair

Sadly, you have failed to reply to any of my reasonable requests to co-operate on a cross-party basis on issues of importance to the people and communities of our islands. Notwithstanding your baffling silence on these matters it is my intention to campaign positively and work with any like minded person, regardless of political affiliation.

Can I once again appeal to you to support our communities and insist that the Lochboisdale-Mallaig ferry route be part of the tender document the Edinburgh Government is putting together? You will be conversant with the shambolic three year winter trial your Government imposed on South Uist. It simply isn’t working. However, we should now work together to rectify the situation. Councillors, community councils and tourism organisations have all stated that they want to see a proper all year trial on this route. Can I ask you to publicly state that you will urge the Transport Minister Derek Mackay to put in place a meaningful trial and that he also puts the Lochboisdale – Mallaig route in the ferry tender document that will shortly be published.

I would also urge you to insist that the tender process be completed before the Scottish Parliament elections so that the people of theses islands can clearly see which parties and representatives are actually fighting to improve services.

I do hope that you will respond to this request.

Leis gach deagh dhùrachd,

Alasdair Morrison

Tendering for Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract gets underway

February 17, 2015

The selection process for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract is now underway, Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay announced today.

The next contract will run from 1 October 2016 for a duration of up to eight years. Scottish Ministers will provide up to £1bn of funding to support the enhancement and development of these lifeline ferry services, in addition to fares revenue.

This funding will also ensure the continued application of Road Equivalent Tariff to CHFS routes, bringing significantly reduced fares and helping to support the tourist industry on the islands.

A Contract Notice has been submitted to the Official Journal of the European Union, signalling the Scottish Government’s intention to take forward a competition for the provision of the services from October 2016.

Preliminary work on the procurement exercise began last year, and today marks the start of the selection process inviting potential bidders to come forward.

Mr Mackay said: “The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services play a crucial role in the day-to-day lives of our island communities, enabling continued and sustainable economic growth. We have made clear our commitment to supporting them by ensuring we deliver safe and reliable services for ferry users.

“The Contract Notice is the first formal step in taking forward a competition for the next CHFS contract, which will run from 1 October 2016.

“We are looking to award a contract that runs for a period up to eight years. This will make it more attractive to potential bidders by giving the operator more opportunity to deliver service improvements and efficiencies over the course of the contract.

“The tendering team began the preliminary procurement steps last year, but this effectively starts the selection stage of the process and we are now encouraging potential bidders to come forward.

“A full public consultation exercise was undertaken during the Ferries Review, which helped to define the shape of future ferry services. The Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, will form the basis of the contract. This engagement process will continue so that all key stakeholders are kept fully informed throughout the procurement exercise.

“I also remain clear that there will be no unbundling of services, and reiterate that the tender will be taken forward as a single contract.

“We are now focused on ensuring a fair and open competition that leads to getting the very best deal for all of the communities of the Clyde and Hebrides.”

First steel cut on new North Uist ferry

MacNeil writes to CalMac to clarify Sound of Harris situation

MP asks CalMac to explain lack of sailings to Lochboisdale

Morrison: Lochboisdale-Mallaig route must be in ferry tender document

Tendering for Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract gets underway

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