It is hoped the MV Loch Seaforth will start regular commercial sailings to Ullapool in January.
Bad weather and technical difficulties have delayed progress in installing piles and stronger fenders in Stornoway harbour.
The £42 million German-
December 20th was the last earmarked date for the ferry start. Contractors will not give any future estimated date at present in case the timescale is missed.
Stornoway Port Authority said contractors had been “working 24-
However, a “combination of storms, heavy sea swells, high winds and unforeseen challenges with fixing fender panels to the roundhead on Pier 3 have further delayed works.”
The harbour board pledged the infrastructure works “will be completed in the New Year.”
Harbour bosses stressed they could not guarantee a completion date.
Construction project manager, Graham Hopper of contractors BAM Nuttall commented: “We realise that the construction works have been going on for much longer than originally anticipated, due to various circumstances and we thank everyone for their continued patience while we progress the works to conclusion as quickly as possible.”
Vice chair of the port authority, Mr Murdo Murray, said: “The timescale for this project was always very tight and as this is the largest capital project we have ever undertaken it’s important that the time is taken to get the quality product that the travelling public expect.”
“Unforeseen challenges” delay ferry start
28 December 2014