CalMac ferry being built in Turkey faces further delay

A ferry being built in Turkey for CalMac is facing a further delay, with officials saying it will be a “challenge” for it to be handed over before Christmas.

The MV Isle of Islay is the first of four ferries being built at the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard and it was previously expected to be handed over in November.

It completed sea trials earlier this year and final inspections by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are due to take place next week.

In a letter to Holyrood’s Transport Committee, the Government’s ferry-owning agency Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) warned the final inspection process could be “time-consuming”.

When the ferry is eventually handed over to the agency, it is understood the journey from Turkey will take around two weeks, with further checks and crew training due before it enters service.

CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs told the MSPs: “If all completion activities go smoothly, the shipyard is targeting delivery of MV Isle of Islay prior to the Christmas period.

“This will be a challenge but CMAL, CalMac, Cemre and the regulatory authorities are all working hard and collaboratively towards reaching this target date for vessel delivery just before the Christmas holidays.

“Noting this is the target but without guarantee.”

Mr Hobbs added: “There is a risk regarding the weather once out into the Atlantic beyond the Straits of Gibraltar but this will be closely analysed at the time.”

MSPs were told the cost of the four vessels at Cemre remains on budget.

As well as the four 95m-long ferries being built in Turkey, CalMac is also awaiting the delivery of Glen Rosa, the second of two vessels from Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.

It is currently due to be handed over in the second half of next year.