109 Following delivery of Isle of Islay from Cemre Shipyard in Turkey, CMAL took ownership of the remaining three vessels under construction – Loch Indaal, Claymore and Lochmor – in a move designed to safeguard the programme and maintain momentum towards delivery. At the same time, work has continued towards delivery of Glen Rosa at Ferguson Marine, while CMAL has launched procurement for a new ro-pax ferry to replace the 1989-built Lord of the Isles on the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route. Attention has also turned to Scotland’s Northern Isles, where GSI has been selected to build two new Freight-Flex vessels for the Aberdeen-KirkwallLerwick route. Scheduled for delivery in 2029 replacing Helliar and Hildasay, the 140-metre ships are designed to deliver significantly greater operational flexibility than the existing freight vessels. While primarily intended to increase freight capacity by around 40 per cent and improve crossing times, they will also be capable of carrying up to 200 passengers during periods of peak demand or when passenger ferries are unavailable. Incorporating shore power capability and future fuel flexibility, the innovative design represents a fresh approach to lifeline ferry services, enabling operators to respond more effectively to changing operational requirements while strengthening the long-term resilience of Scotland’s Northern Isles network. Across the Atlantic, BC Ferries continues to advance one of North America’s most comprehensive fleet renewal programmes. Construction progresses on additional fully electric Island Class ferries, while planning continues for further battery-electric vessels that will strengthen resilience across the British Columbia network. In the North Atlantic, Smyril Line has also outlined plans for continued fleet development as passenger and freight demand grows across its services linking the Faroe Islands, Iceland and mainland Europe. Although details remain under development, the company’s long-term strategy reflects the wider trend among northern European operators to invest in larger, cleaner and more efficient vessels capable of meeting future environmental requirements without compromising operational flexibility. Together, these developments illustrate an industry entering a new phase. The emphasis is no longer simply on announcing ambitious projects but on bringing them into operation, expanding proven programmes and planning the next generation of fleet renewal. Whether through battery-electric propulsion, hybrid technology or more efficient conventional designs, ferry operators worldwide continue to demonstrate that investment in modern fleets remains central to the future of passenger and freight transport. FERRY ORDER BOOK CMAL’s Claymore is the fourth vessel to be launched at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Turkey following sister vessels Isle of Islay, Loch Indaal and Lochmor
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