CalMac extends MV Alfred charter as MV Caledonian Isles set for summer return
CalMac has once again extended the emergency MV Alfred charter for another five months to support Scotland's ferry network.
Pentland Ferries announced on Tuesday that they had signed an agreement with the state-owned ferry operator to extend the charter of MV Alfred until the end of October.
Confirming the announcement, Louis de Wolff, interim fleet management director for CalMac, said the charter extension 'will give the network much-needed resilience until the end of the summer timetable'.
Helen Inkster, managing director of Pentland Ferries, said: 'I am pleased to confirm that we have signed an agreement with CalMac Ferries to extend the charter of MV Alfred until the end of October 2025.'
A two-vessel service with MV Glen Sannox and MV Alfred will remain in place between Troon and Brodick until the end of Wednesday, June 11, with Glen Sannox remaining on the route following that date.
MV Alfred's deployment will be finalised and announced soon.
The Alfred has been chartered by CalMac since April 2023 to provide additional support within the Clyde and Hebrides network while the MV Caledonian Isles has been in the dry-dock for repairs.
The vessel went in for its annual service in January 2024, but has been out of action ever since – putting pressure on the rest of CalMac's ageing ferry fleet.
CalMac confirmed on Tuesday that the MV Caledonian Isles will now return on Thursday, June 12.
The ageing vessel had been expected back on Monday, June 9.
Mr de Wolff said CalMac is 'now in the final stages of the repair plan for MV Caledonian Isles', and is 'looking forward to seeing her back in service soon'.
'She'll significantly increase capacity and frequency of service for Arran, operating from Ardrossan,' de Wolff said.
'We are looking forward to seeing the vessel back on the water for sea trials from this Sunday, which, given the length of time she has been off service, will be thorough and will include berthing trials at Ardrossan and Brodick.
'The extension to MV Alfred's charter will give the network much-needed resilience until the end of the summer timetable. Plans for her deployment are being finalised and will be announced soon.'
As a result of the MV Alfred extension, the Resident Discount Scheme for the ferry has also been extended for the same timeframe.
Orkney residents who have already booked travel between June 1 and 7, are encouraged to contact the office for a refund.
Refunds will automatically be applied to residents who have booked to travel between June 8 and October 31.
'With both MV Alfred and MV Pentalina in service, we are pleased to maintain a reliable service for our passengers, support over 80 jobs, and ensure that the business continues to invest in the local community and is well-positioned for the future,' Ms Inkster said.
'We look forward to continuing our partnership with CalMac Ferries and serving the island communities in both Orkney and the west of Scotland.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
CalMac's newest ferry Isle of Islay completes first sea trials in Turkey - but will be almost a year late
Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The first of four CalMac ferries being built in Turkey is expected to carry its first passengers around a year late after the opening stage of sea trials were completed behind schedule in the latest of a series of delays. Isle of Islay, which is earmarked for the main route to the Hebridean island, completed the tests in the Sea of Marmara on May 30, it was announced on Thursday. The vessel should have been ready for sea trials by the start of the month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Isle of Islay on its sea trials off Turkey late May | Cmal Scottish Government ferry-buying firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) said a second set of sea trials would not take place until 'later this summer' and the vessel is scheduled to be delivered between July and September. It was originally due to have been finished in October last year, but was delayed to December, then March, then June. Cmal chief executive Kevin Hobbs has said the vessel would take two weeks after completion to reach Scotland, then need three to four weeks of port trials before entering service, which suggests it will not be carrying passengers until at least the autumn. The ferry, along with its sister vessel for the Kintyre-Islay route, Loch Indaal, and two others for the Skye-Harris-North Uist routes, have suffered a series of delays because of parts supply problems caused by the Ukraine war and instability in the Middle East. Shipyard workers were also being deployed for recovery work following a huge earthquake. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cmal said the sea trials had been carried out 'successfully' by Cemre Marin Endustri yard in Yalova from May 22 to 30, with Cmal and CalMac staff on board. The body said: 'The first part of the sea trials saw the set up of the propulsion systems, generators, thrusters, stabilisers and associated electrical systems. These were then tested, trialled and measured with [certification authority] Lloyd's Register and the Maritime Coastguard Agency [safety regulator] in attendance. 'Testing evaluated the vessel's performance at full load, including speed, stability, manoeuvrability, anchor deployment/recovery and endurance. The trials also established the effectiveness of the vessel's propulsion plant, automation and navigational systems. 'The second set of sea trials will take place later this summer following the installation of the vessel's battery system and harbour acceptance trials of the hybrid system.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cmal director of vessels Jim Anderson said: 'This is a great step forward in the build programme of the Isle of Islay. The team at Cemre are working hard to prepare the vessel for delivery.
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
MV Isle of Islay completes first sea trials in Turkey after months of delays
The MV Isle of Islay has successfully completed its first sea trials in Turkey following months of delays. The trials took place from May 22 to 30 in the Sea of Marmara, and staff from CMAL and CalMac were in attendance. It comes after the handover date for the vessel was pushed back from the week of August 19 last year. CalMac previously said the ferry was due to be delivered from the yard in the Middle East by the end of the year. The ferry operator said the first part of the trials saw the set-up of the propulsion systems, generators, thrusters, stabilisers and associated electrical systems The systems were then tested, trialled and measured with Lloyd's Register and the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) in attendance. The tests evaluated the vessel's performance at full load, including speed, stability, manoeuvrability, anchor deployment/recovery and endurance. CalMac added that the trials also established the effectiveness of the vessel's propulsion plant, automation and navigational systems. Jim Anderson, director of Vessels at CMAL, said the trials were a 'great step forward' in the building process. 'The team at Cemre are working hard to prepare the vessel for delivery', he added. 'There is a great feeling of momentum following the successful completion of this first phase of sea trials.' The second set of sea trials will take place later this summer, following the installation of the vessel's battery system and harbour acceptance trials of the hybrid system. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
MV Isle of Islay successfully completes first sea trials in Turkey
MV Isle of Islay trials took place this week with staff from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and CalMac in attendance in the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. Officials announced in March that the ship, which is being built by the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard east of Istanbul, was to be delayed by at least three months due to labour shortages and poor weather. The contract for four ferries was awarded to the shipyard in March 2022. The MV Isle of Islay, which will serve Islay and Jura, was expected to be delivered in October of 2024. READ MORE: Island community take ownership of 5000-year-old Tomb of the Eagles The delivery of the Isle of Islay is now expected at the end of this year's second quarter. The first part of the sea trials saw the set-up of the propulsion systems, generators, thrusters, stabilisers and associated electrical systems. These were then tested, trialled and measured with Lloyd's Register and the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) in attendance. Testing evaluated the vessel's performance at full load, including speed, stability, manoeuvrability, anchor deployment/recovery and endurance. The trials also established the effectiveness of the vessel's propulsion plant, automation and navigational systems. Jim Anderson, director of vessels at CMAL, said: 'This is a great step forward in the build programme of the Isle of Islay. The team at Cemre are working hard to prepare the vessel for delivery. There is a great feeling of momentum following the successful completion of this first phase of sea trials.' The second set of sea trials will take place later this summer, following the installation of the vessel's battery system and harbour acceptance trials of the hybrid system. Three other ships – the MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore – are being built in Turkey.
