MV Loch Seaforth target dates

Getting the MV Loch Seaforth “fully deployed” on her Stornoway to Ullapool run before June is a target set by a taskforce established to speed up the work and tackle the ongoing disruption.

Stornoway Port Authority now reckon delayed pier works to accommodate the ferry can be completed in February.

Cal Mac recently highlighted delays to the Stornoway pier upgrade, necessary for the new MV Loch Seaforth to come onto the Stornoway-Ullapool service have in turned delayed replacing the Ullapool linkspan to April.

Cal Mac said alternative travel arrangements from April 20 depends upon the work in Stornoway being finished.

Target dates set for MV Loch Seaforth service

15 January 2015

If there are no further hold-ups to the the harbour board’s time estimates, then Cal Mac hope to start the new ferry by the end of next month, the taskgroup set up by transport minister Derek Mackay was told today.

But, from April 20 to the beginning of June, the Loch Seaforth will carry foot passengers only.

Transport minister Derek Mackay, said: “Stornoway Port Authority estimate the work required for the berthing of the new vessel will now finish in early February, which will allow Calmac to bring the MV Loch Seaforth into service by the end of February and Ullapool Harbour Trust to go ahead with their linkspan work as planned on April 20th.”

Mr MacKay added: “Ultimately, we would like to see the infrastructure works completed and the MV Loch Seaforth fully deployed on the Stornoway-Ullapool route by the end of May, and all the organisations involved have agreed to work towards this target.”

He said: “I convened this taskforce because I shared the concerns of the local communities affected. In moving forward the community will be kept fully informed of progress and, through CalMac, the taskforce will be engaging with the community and local stakeholders directly.

“This was an extremely constructive first meeting and I am encouraged by the commitment of all partners to work together and deliver these major infrastructure works.

“Everybody involved in this project wants the work to be completed and see the MV Loch Seaforth operating on the Stornoway-Ullapool route as soon as possible.

“At the end of this process we will have improved harbour facilities and a new £42 million ferry serving the Stornoway-Ullapool route, and I look forward to seeing the MV Loch Seaforth bringing an improved service to both communities.”