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Murdo Murray (left) of Stornoway Port Authority and Transport Minister Derek Mackay discuss the introduction of the new ferry.

 

The MV Loch Seaforth is on track to enter service on the Stornoway-Ullapool ferry route by the end of the month, Transport Minister Derek Mackay has announced.

 

During today’s visit to Stornoway, Mr Mackay chaired the second meeting of the Stornoway Ullapool Ferry Project Taskforce and also met with local stakeholders to update them on progress.

February sailing for new Stornoway ferry

2 February 2015

Derek Mackay maintained locals weren’t interested in a “blame game” but looked forward to start of the modern new ferry service with an “excellent new vessel.”

 

He said he convened the task group to speed up pier construction works and now had the whole project “very much back on track.”

 

The harbour works at Stornoway and at Ullapool were necessary and would be worth it, he added.

 

He told tourism and haulage representatives as well as Western Isles councillors that the Scottish Government will fund the extra cash required to allow the present ferry, MV Isle of Lewis, to remain crewed and on stand-by over the summer until the MV Loch Seaforth proves her reliability.

 

If required, the MV Isle of Lewis will also operate across the Minch to supplement the MV Loch Seaforth during the summer peak periods.

 

Mr Mackay said the task group had made “excellent progress“ in what was going to be a “fantastic project in the end.”

 

After assurances from Stornoway Port Authority, he is confident of “having the new vessel operating on the route by the end of the month, or sooner if possible.”

 

“The completion of harbour works at Stornoway is a major milestone.

 

“I’m also delighted to hear that Ullapool Harbour Trust will be able to reduce the length of time needed to replace their linkspan, further reducing disruption to ferry users.”

 

He said the Scottish Government had spent millions of pounds on new ports and a ferry for the benefit of the Western Isles.

 

Despite the Ullapool linkspan disruption, “What we get in the end is an excellent new vessel.

 

“I have committed the (present ferry) MV Isle of Lewis as well to expand capacity over the summer.”

 

“The transport connections at the end of these necessary works will be worth it.”

 

John Mackay, transport chairman at Western Isles Council welcomed the increased certainty over the ferry service.

 

He said: “It certainly appears that positive progress is being made in managing and monitoring the period of link-span unavailability in Ullapool and the summer timetables.”

 

Ian Fordham, chairman of Outer Hebrides Tourism said: “We are delighted that the concerns of the tourism industry have been taken on board.

 

“We accept the need to get the harbour improvements in Ullapool completed as quickly as possible, and we welcome the commitment to ensure that temporary timetables are suitable for visitors, and that the fares for the disrupted services are set appropriately, and do not impact on the demand on the Uig - Tarbert route.

 

“The agreement to run the Isle of Lewis alongside the Loch Seaforth on peak days in the 2015 summer season is especially welcome, and will give the opportunity for the industry to grow the value of tourism for the benefit of the economy of the whole of the Outer Hebrides.”