The first newbuild ferry of two to serve Scottish west coast islands, Islay and Jura has been successfully launched at a shipyard in Turkey.
At the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova, the MV Isle of Islay was launched on Saturday. The newbuild is one of four ferries being built, and is due to go into service with Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) in October.
On the Clyde, more twin ferries, MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa, are being built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard at Port Glasgow, however, they have been beset by severe delays, as the twins were due to enter service in 2018. Both are to serve the Arran route, linking Ardrossan and Brodick.
According to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the MV Isle of Islay will have capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles. The newbuild which will operate the Kennacraig-Port Askaig/Port Ellen routes, will provide a combined 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity on the Islay routes, bolstering the overall resilience of the wider fleet.
The MV Isle of Islay is now in the water, however, further work remains to complete the newbuild, before sea trials are to take place and the new ferry is handed over to CMAL.
The HeraldScotland has more on the shipyard's launch.
