CalMac's newest ferry MV Isle of Islay arrives in Scotland

The first of four new CalMac ferries, MV Isle of Islay, has arrived in Scotland after a four-week voyage delayed by stormy weather and a rescue at sea; it will spend several weeks on crew familiarisation and berthing trials before entering service on the Kennacraig–Islay route.

MV Isle of Islay, the first of four new ferries built in Turkey for CalMac, arrived in Scotland after a four-week voyage that was delayed by stormy weather. The ship sailed up the Clyde and berthed at the Inchgreen quay in Greenock just before 10:00 on Sunday after crossing the Bay of Biscay. While the vessel was waiting for storms to pass, the CalMac crew assisted in rescuing a man off the coast of Morocco. The ferry will have several weeks of crew familiarisation and berthing trials before entering service. Key details: - The ferry can carry 450 passengers and either 100 cars or 14 HGVs. - It is expected to operate on the Kennacraig to Islay route once trials are complete. - MV Isle of Islay was originally due in October 2024 but delivery was delayed, with labour shortages and supply chain difficulties cited. - Three more ships of the same design are due to be delivered at six-month intervals for a second Islay vessel and routes to North Uist and Harris. - The Turkish-built vessels use diesel engines with some battery power rather than LNG dual-fuel systems, and have a deeper draught to allow a sleeker hull shape. - Harbour dredging and other upgrades have been needed to accommodate the ships, which are the first CalMac vessels of this size fitted with Voith Schneider propulsion units. Summary: The arrival adds a new large ferry to CalMac's fleet and begins a period of crew familiarisation and berthing trials before the vessel enters service on the Kennacraig–Islay route. Additional identical ships are scheduled for delivery at six-month intervals to serve Islay and other routes, and harbour work will continue to accommodate the new design.