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Second Turkish-built CalMac ferry given launch date

CMAL Artist impression of MV Loch IndaalCMAL
The MV Loch Indaal will be launched in June

The second ferry being built in Turkey for Scotland's west coast routes will be launched on 8 June, ferries agency CMAL has announced.

The MV Loch Indaal is one of four ferries being built at the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalovan.

The ferry, which will serve Islay and Jura, is set to be delivered in February 2025.

It will then undergo operational trials and crew familiarisation before entering service.

The new ferry is the sister of the MV Isle of Islay which was launched in March, ahead of fitting out work.

Both vessels will have capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles.

They have a more conventional propulsion system than the hybrid LNG ferries being built at Ferguson shipyard, instead using marine diesel engines with some limited battery power for manoeuvring in port.

CMAL said the two new ferries for the Islay routes would together provide a 40% increase in vehicle and freight capacity as well as improving the resilience of the wider fleet.

Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL said: "With the launch of Isle of Islay in March, and Glen Rosa in April, Loch Indaal will be the third vessel to launch within three months.

"Work is progressing well at Cemre, and we are on schedule and on budget with all four vessels, which will be welcome news for islanders.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, added: “I’m delighted that the launch of the MV Loch Indaal has been confirmed for early June. This is another important milestone in the Scottish government’s commitment to delivering six new major vessels into service by 2026.

“I have no doubt the communities and businesses on Islay and Jura are looking forward to a more resilient and modern ferry service, with further vessels set to bring similar improvements to other parts of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network.”

The remaining two ferries, the MV Claymore and MV Lochmor are expected to be ready by June and October next year.

These will serve communities in Harris and North Uist.

As well as the Turkish-built vessels, the MV Glen Rosa and MV Glen Sannox, both built at Fergusons Shipyard in Port Glasgow will also join the CMAL fleet.