EMEA News
CMAL Highlights Progress on Two Dual-Fuel Newbuilds
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), in an update on the construction of the company's two new dual fuel MDO-liquefied natural gas (LNG) ferries, has announced that the vessels, currently known as Hull 801 and Hull 802, are near the 75 percent and 60 percent steelwork fabrication phase, respectively.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the two ferries, worth £97 million ($123.39 million), are being built at Ferguson Marine Engineering (Ferguson Marine) in Glasgow for Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).
"The LNG fuel tanks are hugely impressive and their planned delivery reminds us of the scale of the project we are delivering," said Jim Anderson, Director of Vessels at CMAL.
"The design and build of these dual fuel vessels is a highly complex technical project, the first of its kind in Scotland – and indeed the UK. They represent CMAL’s commitment to exploring new technologies for ferries, as well as a wider commitment to innovation in Scotland and consideration for the environmental impact of transport."
The first ferry is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018, followed a few months later by the second vessel.
Subject to final review by CalMac, CMAL, and Transport Scotland, the vessels are expected to be employed on the Arran and Skye Triangle routes.
"These vessels, although complex, allow the yard invaluable experience in LNG vessels and, mixed with the experience we have gained in previous CMAL builds with hybrid propulsion vessels, puts us in a great position to serve the industry with state of the art vessels," said Liam Campbell, Managing Director at Ferguson Marine.
