Remontowa wins seven-ship electric ferry deal

Poland’s Remontowa Shipbuilding has won a contract to build seven small ferries for Scottish shipowner, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The ferries, which are likely to be delivered from 2027, will support island communities and improve the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry fleet, the Scottish company said in a statement.

Under its Small Vessel Replacement Programme, Phase 1 will involve the construction of the first seven vessels and is backed by a GBP 160 million investment from the Scottish Government. The value of the shipbuilding contract is GBP 147.5 million, with the remaining funds in place to cover a 3% budget contingency and ancillary costs related to the project.

Phase 2 will cover three more vessels. These will be contracted through a separate competitive tender process later this year.

CMAL chief executive, Kevin Hobbs, said: “As we work to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet and accompanying infrastructure, we are replacing up to 16 new vessels in the next six years. Signing this contract for seven of them is a big step forward in our plans.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, commented: “CMAL signing the contract to build seven new small vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides fleet is a significant step in our ferries improvement programme. When added to the six new major vessels joining the fleet in the coming years, these new electric vessels will mean that this Government has invested to renew around a third of CalMac’s entire fleet. I would like to thank CMAL for the work involved in reaching this important milestone.”

Speaking for Remontowa, the company’s director of Commerce, Michał Jaguszewski, said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with LMG Marin [ship design firm] and CMAL to design, build and deliver these new vessels. We have the experience and expertise to supply the modern, highly efficient and environmentally friendly ships on time and on budget, with a clear focus on reliability.”