Malakoff shipyard preparing to outfit the newbuild before she starts service in Scotland
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Scottish ferry operator Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is expected to start sea trials for its new passenger ferry, Carvoria, on 7 August 2017.
Carvoria is currently under construction at Malakoff’s new Greenhead Base shipyard in Lerwick, Shetlands Islands. Malakoff’s team has almost completed the construction and steel fabrication stages, and will soon begin outfitting the vessel in preparation for sea trials.
Newbuild Carvoria will replace Gylen Lady on the route between the small island of Kerrera and the mainland south of Oban at Gallanach. Although similar in size (12 metres long) and design to her predecessor, Carvoria has greater cargo carrying capacity and improvements to enhance passenger comfort. The vessel and service will be operated by CalMac Ferries, which took over the route on 1 July this year.
“The ceremony marks the official start of the build of the new ferry and we’re delighted to see construction get underway,” said Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL. “We will work closely with Malakoff to maintain progress on the build and we look forward to bringing the new vessel to the islanders on Kerrera later this summer.”