The vessels — LOCH INDAAL, LOCHMOR and CLAYMORE — are now assets owned by CMAL ahead of their formal handover. The decision has been taken against a backdrop of challenging economic circumstances affecting Cemre and businesses across the region, including global pressures stemming from the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and disruption in the Red Sea.

By taking ownership before delivery, CMAL said it was acting to protect the project, reduce risk and safeguard the investment already made. The announcement follows the completion of sea trials for LOCH INDAAL, a significant milestone in the construction programme.

The three ships are sister vessels to ISLE OF ISLAY, the first of the class, which entered the CalMac fleet earlier this year. The 94.80-metre-long vessels can carry 450 passengers and offer 275 lane metres, equivalent to 107 cars, and serve routes including Islay and Jura.

Each ship is fitted with four Wärtsilä 8L20 engines delivering a combined 6,400 kW, driving twin Voith Schneider azimuth units for a service speed of 16.5 knots. The vessels also feature a 904 kW Corvus battery installation and shore-power connectivity.

Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL, said the priority remained the completion of the vessels for the communities that depend on them. "Taking ownership of the vessels at this stage is a precautionary move to reduce risk, protect the investment already made and support our objective of bringing these vessels into service as quickly and efficiently as possible," he said, adding that CMAL would continue to work closely with the shipyard and partners to maintain progress towards delivery.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said the Scottish Government was committed to renewing the CalMac fleet for the benefit of island and coastal communities. He said the full focus was on delivering the remaining vessels at Cemre to improve the long-term resilience and reliability of ferry services, and that the government fully supported CMAL's approach to securing ownership ahead of formal handover while protecting public investment. He confirmed he would continue to engage with local communities and stakeholders throughout the completion and deployment of the vessels.

Duncan Mackison, Chief Executive of CalMac, sought to reassure island communities that the measure had no immediate impact on services. He pointed to two major vessels operating as resilience tonnage this summer, aided by the arrival of ISLE OF ISLAY, which he described as a valued addition to the fleet, adding that CalMac would continue to support CMAL and its partners through completion of her sister ships.

The three vessels form part of a wider programme to renew Scotland's ferry fleet and strengthen network resilience. Alongside the Cemre programme, CMAL is progressing the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) at Remontowa Shipyard in Poland and the construction of two freight-flex vessels in China for the Northern Isles, supported by significant harbour infrastructure investment across Scotland.

In a related development in Scotland's fleet renewal programme, Ferguson Marine has confirmed that GLEN ROSA has entered her second dry dock. Destined for the CalMac fleet on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service, GLEN ROSA has been relocated to the Dales Marine Services facility in Greenock for underwater inspections, outfitting and structural works. She is scheduled to remain at Greenock until mid-July before returning to Port Glasgow for final commissioning and sea trials, with completion and handover expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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