Port restrictions in Mallaig limit the vessel’s overall length to around 85 metres. This means the newbuilding will be smaller than the ferries in the current newbuilding programme.

Following the delivery of ISLE OF ISLAY in January, three newbuildings (94.8 × 18.7 metres) remain on order at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey, along with the last of two significantly delayed ferries, GLEN ROSA, from Ferguson Marine Engineering in the UK, measuring 102.4 × 17 metres.

In addition to this pipeline of “large” ferries, CMAL also has an ongoing Small Vessel Replacement Programme contract with Remontowa in Poland worth GBP 147.5 million. This covers seven small electric double-ended ferries, with deliveries starting in 2027.

The tender for the LORD OF THE ISLES replacement is based on a concept design, and CMAL is seeking a single contract covering both detailed design and construction of the vessel. The deadline for submissions is 8 May 2026, after which CMAL will prequalify a number of bidders to compete for a shipbuilding contract with a maximum duration of 34 months. The contract with the winning bidder is expected to be signed shortly after 31 March 2027.

In addition to the above-mentioned newbuilding projects for use by Caledonian MacBrayne, CMAL also signed a contract in March with Guangzhou Shipyard International in China for two RoPax ferries measuring 140 metres in length and 23.4 metres in breadth. These vessels will be deployed by NorthLink, where they will replace the RoRo ships HELLIAR and HILDASAY on the route between Aberdeen, Kirkwall (Orkney), and Lerwick (Shetland). The two new NorthLink ferries, with a total value of GBP 200 million, are expected to be delivered in 2029.

© Shippax