Late delivery of £42 million new vessel 22/7/14
Cmal bosses - who contracted the German shipybuilders to construct the MV Loch Seaforth
- claimed that the yard had rarely been late in delivering a new-build vessel.
In November, Hebrides News revealed the ship was delayed after a gale hit the German
ship yard, ripping off part of the roof of the ship building hall.
Her hull was launched in March, a month later than planned, throwing out plans to
have her ready to sail the Minch this summer.
She is designed to have a capacity for up to 700 passengers and 143 cars or 20 commercial
vehicles though the actual number of vehicles which can be carried in practice will
only be known following a full load after she starts on the Stornoway route.
The 116m roll on roll off vehicle passenger ferry will only undertake two return
sailings across the Minch - three in summer.
However, there is simmering row over claims of reduced capacity at peak periods,
as she replaces two ships - the MV Isle of Lewis and the overnight freight vessel,
presently the MV Clipper Ranger.
The ship is being financed by Lloyd’s Banking Group, leased to Caledonian Maritime
Assets Ltd (CMAL) and operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd.
CMAL is the Scottish Government company which owns the ships providing ferry services
to the Western Isles. Under European rules the vessels are charted to a the best
operator which successfully bids to run the service
.
Flensburger shipyard in Germany where the MV Loch Seaforth is being built
