Scottish shipbuilding will receive a huge boost tomorrow when work starts on a £97million contract to build two Highland ferries – the largest vessels to be constructed on the Clyde for more than a decade.
They are designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs – or a combination of both – and 1,000 passengers.
The start of work on the two 100-metre vessels for use on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network will be formally marked with a steel-cutting ceremony performed by Transport Minister Derek Mackay.
The ferries are earmarked for the Uig Triangle routes between Skye and the Outer Hebrides and the Ardrossan to Brodick service although the final decision rests with CalMac Ferries and will be informed by analysis of demand on all major routes.
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd of Port Glasgow was last year named as the preferred tender for the contract to build the “dual-fuel” ferries. Such vessels can operate on liquefied natural gas and marine diesel.
LNG is significantly cleaner and was adopted by ferry operators in northern Europe in response to tighter emissions regulations.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited owns the ferries operated by state-owned CalMac.
FMEL will undertake the detailed design and construction work of the new vessels, as well as their testing, equipping, launching and delivery.
The first ferry is expected to enter service in early 2018 and the second a few months later.
The ships will be capable of operating across a range of drafts and speeds to meet the requirements of the current operator, CalMac, to service a wide range of ports and routes.
In addition to pier and harbour facilities, CMAL owns 31 ferries and leases another.
All 32 are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on services throughout the Hebrides and on the Clyde.
CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
The contract will secure more than 150 jobs in the Port Glasgow and Inverclyde area.