Third hybrid ferry launches on the Clyde

Press Release courtesy of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 

The hybrid ferry, named MV CATRIONA, is a sea-going passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferry incorporating a low-carbon hybrid system of traditional diesel power and electric lithium-ion battery power. Her sister ship, the MV HALLAIG, was the first in the world to incorporate this technology in a sea-going vessel when launched in December 2011.  The innovative vessel was launched by Mrs. Anna Østergaard, wife of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Chairman, Erik Østergaard. 

MV CATRIONA is 43.5m long, accommodating 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs and is owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and will be run by CalMac Ferries Ltd, the operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.  The sea trials are scheduled for spring 2016 and she will enter service following testing and certification.

Erik Østergaard, Chairman of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd commented:

"We are very proud that the design and construction of this new class of ferry, using world class technology, was carried out in Scotland, continuing a proud tradition of shipbuilding on the Clyde.

"The launch of our three hybrid ferries - MV HALLAIG, MV LOCHINVAR and MV CATRIONA - demonstrates CMAL's commitment to leading the way in innovative ferry design and our focus on creating new vessel technology. The technology is cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. Their introduction to our fleet demonstrates the vast economic potential of developing green technology within the transport industry."

The £12.3 million vessel is a further investment by the Scottish Government in CMAL's Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service fleet and is the third commercial ship to be fully built and delivered on the Clyde in five years. This is the first ship built by Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL), who was awarded the contract in September 2014, following their purchase of the Ferguson Shipbuilders business.  The previous two hybrid vessels were also built in the same yard.

The new ferries are designed to operate on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and the route for this ferry will be announced by CalMac Ferries Ltd early in 2016.

Transport and Islands Minister, Derek McKay, said:

"The official launch of the MV CATRIONA marks a further milestone in our improvements to the fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides network.

"Delivery of this third hybrid vessel not only underlines the Scottish Government's commitment to making our ferry fleet sustainable and reliable, but it also showcases the expertise on offer at the FMEL shipyard. The technology used on the new vessel will mean it will be fuel efficient and have lower maintenance costs, whilst still ensuring a quality service for passengers.

"The Scottish Government has invested a record £1 billion in vessels, ports and ferry services since 2007. With a £97 million order made for two new vessels for the fleet - also to be built at the FMEL yard on the Clyde - there will be further good news to come for our island communities.

"I congratulate all parties involved in the project and look forward to seeing the MV CATRIONA enter full service next year."

Liam Campbell, Managing Director, FMEL, added:

"We would like to acknowledge our appreciation to both CMAL and the Scottish Government for placing the order for the latest hybrid vessels with FMEL last September.  The build of MV CATRIONA was a welcome boost to us and, indeed, the Inverclyde Community."

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Managing Director, Martin Dorchester, said:

"We look forward to welcoming this, the third vessel in this class, to our fleet and working with CMAL to get her in service as quickly as possible. The further adoption of hybrid technology reinforces CalMac's position as the UK's most innovative ferry operator."

The first hybrid ferry, the MV HALLAIG, was launched in December 2011 and services the Sconser to Raasay route. MV Lochinvar, the second hybrid ferry runs from Tarbert to Portavadie and launched in May 2013.  Their low-carbon hybrid system is leading to a reduction in fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Operational experience has shown, from analysis of MV HALLAIG, that the hybrid vessels are capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 38% compared to a conventionally powered vessel of the same size. The reduction of fuel consumption will result in a decrease in CO2 emissions in excess of 5,500 tonnes per vessel over their lifetime with a proportionally similar decrease in sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions. 

For further information on the hybrid ferry project and images of the first two ferries, MV HALLAIG and MV LOCHINVAR, see:http://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/hybrid-ferries-project/

 

ENDS

 

For further information please call Golley Slater: Christina Kelly on 0787 558 1955 or 0141 548 8222

 

Notes to editors

1.   Key ship information as follows:

·         Length 43.5m (142ft)

·         Breadth 12.2m (40ft)

·         Deadweight 135t

·         Service speed of 9 knots

·         Passengers - 150

·         Cars - 23

·         Commercial Vehicles - two fully laden 44t HGVs, but with space for four

2.   The MV CATRIONA and its sister ships, MV HALLAIG and MC LOCHINVAR are the world's first seagoing passenger and vehicle roll-on roll-off ferries to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and lithium ion battery power. The technology is cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. The vessel will be powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which, in addition to the batteries, will supply power to electric propulsion motors that turn the propellers.

3.   Benefits of the hybrid ferries include reduced fuel consumption and impact of CO2 emissions and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower maintenance requirements. The ferries will charge overnight while they are moored on the islands they will serve. It is anticipated future energy from local wind, wave or solar systems will be used to charge the batteries, reducing further the carbon footprint.

4.   CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) owns the ferries, ports and harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the west coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary. CMAL are wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Government is providing CMAL with a loan of £12.3 million for the procurement of these vessels.

 

For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk