CalMac continue to work alongside Transport Scotland to ensure that
potential future forecasted demand is taken into account when making
capacity decisions for the new future vessel design.
Lessons learned from the first phase of the programme will allow us to address the challenges faced from the reclassification of the Sound of Barra, Sound of Harris and Sound of Iona routes. The vessels and/or infrastructure required for these routes will need to meet higher regulatory standards than the current vessels; “Euro B” rather than “Euro C”. During phase one, we will investigate a vessel design that complies with changed regulatory requirements for the Sound of Iona.
The programme will aim to deliver low emission vessels utilising the latest proven battery and on shore charging technologies.
the programme will aim to achieve increased standardisation in hull design, propulsion and internal lay out as well as improved reliability, resilience, accessibility and capacity.
Stakeholder engagement has taken place initially through a key stakeholder reference group which includes representatives from local authorities, transport partners and the Community Board.
Capacity for a total of 150 passengers was previously mooted for a new proposed Sound of Barra vessel under r
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The procurement of seven new electric ferries for small islands on the CalMac network is underway.
The goal is to provide standardised vessels capable of operating on a number of routes.
However, plans to build two new ferries for the Western Isles inter-island links
are excluded from this first phase of small ferry building. Badly needed replacements
for MV Loch Alainn on the Sound of Barra service and MV Loch Portain which plies
between Berneray and Leverburgh are not expected until after 2030.
Due to ferry breakdowns transport services on the Sound of Harris persisted at critical levels last autumn when MV Loch Portain suffered engine problems.
Only a special derogation negotiated from UK shipping regulator, Maritime and Coastguard
Agency (MCA) permitted a limited service - and only under fair weather conditions
- while spare parts were acquired from Asia.
Regular backlogs of stranded traffic built up between Uist and Harris, requiring MV Alfred to be called in to assist.
Bringing forward replacement of the two Western Isles vessels into the present phase was ruled out.
Ferguson Marine shipyard will not be directly awarded the contract to build the fleet of seven sister vessels.
The Scottish Government said tenders will be invited from competing ship builders.
A process running over the summer will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project.
Estimated costs are around £175 million to construct the seven new vessels as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades.
The invitation to tender Is
Phase 1 also includes associated port works and shore power upgrades on various routes.
The first phase of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme has been designed to bring
consistency in hull form and on-board engineering, bridge and safety equipment. This
will allow inter-operability of vessels and crew where required and also help with
maintenance and retaining spare parts. We will seek to replicate as much of this
as possible in the second phase of the SVRP, noting that these vessels are likely
to require consideration of some more bespoke elements given the characteristics
of the routes being served.
The first stage of the competitive tender process will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project.
Estimated costs for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme are around £175 million, for the seven new vessels as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades.
The invitation to tender for this contact is expected to issue around September 2024, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025.
OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK?
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are confident that the decision to open our Stornoway
Superstore on Sundays will allow us to balance the demand for seven-day opening while
remaining respectful to local traditions and culture.
“Over recent weeks we have received a significant amount of positive feedback to our new opening proposals, particularly from colleagues.
“This change will improve the shopping experience for local customers by offering them flexibility and reducing busy periods during the week.”
On background, not for direct quotation
The Tesco Superstore in Stornoway will be open on Sundays going forward from November 17, between the hours of 12pm and 8pm
We will continue to talk with colleagues over the changes and the impact on rotas and no one will be forced to work a Sunday.
Three vehicles were involved in a collision by the Arnish Road and Lochs Road area of Lewis.
The crash occurred before 4pm this afternoon.
Emergency services attended at the scene.
Long tailbacks built up as the main road was blocked.
Three fire crews worked to clear the carriageway and clean the road surface to reopen the route.
Emergency services attend road crash
6 February 2025