Islay Enabling Works
Stakeholder Update
Issue 2—May 2024
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) is leading significant infrastructure upgrades at three key ferry terminals: Kennacraig, Port Askaig, and Colonsay. This initiative aims to enhance the facilities to accommodate the upcoming Islay vessels—MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal—slated for delivery in late 2024 and early 2025.
The upgrades at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay include dredging, new quay walls, strengthening works, fendering upgrades, facilities for shore power and, at Port Askaig, provision of a mooring aid.
Kennacraig works update
At Kennacraig, the initial preparatory works, including modification of the North Berth fixed ramp, were completed in advance of services being transferred to the berth.
This modification has improved the operational availability of the North Berth, permitting full-time use whilst works are being completed on the South Berth.
The work on the South Berth is projected to be finished by early August 2024. Once completed, the berth will be opened for services, and work will then commence on the North Berth.
The combi-piled wall construction on the South Berth has progressed well, with a section just north of the linkspan now completed.
The construction of the wall south of the linkspan continued as the Jack-Up Barge (JUB) was moved into position. The JUB was then positioned south to drill combi-piles in front of the linkspan and all four piles were installed.
Dredging operations at Kennacraig began in March. The dredged material was initially transported to a local quarry, however due to restrictions identified in the SEPA license, the disposal has now been altered to a site in the sea, subject to the necessary modifications to the dredge license.
Progress on the fender works is going well, with ongoing work on the inner dolphins, infill pier, and middle dolphin. The fenders arrived on site, and were installed on the South Berth.
Ducting works for the shore power infrastructure has been completed, with the remainder to be carried out when the works move to the North Berth.
Meanwhile, CMAL has carried out refurbishment work on the linkspan, which was removed in January 2024 to allow for marine works in front of it. The refurbishment of the linkspan is now complete and it is on schedule to be reinstalled in July 2024.
All going well, the work on the South Berth is projected to be finished by early August 2024, when it will be re-opened for the ferry services. Work will then begin on the North Berth.
Port Askaig updates
Works are generally progressing on programme, following the resolution of some teething issues.
The RNLI tank was decommissioned, removed, and taken to a compound for storage.
Following this, George Leslie was able to excavate the concrete deck slab and drill piles for the mooring aid’s foundation.
In parallel, CMAL is progressing with the design and manufacture of the mooring aid, which is planned to be installed on the concrete foundation in advance of the vessel trial.
The fenders were delivered to the site and fendering works are now progressing on the berth. To carry out the works on the round-head fenders, the berth will be closed for 6 weeks, starting from 19 June 2024.
Marshalling works
Argyll and Bute Council is progressing well with the marshalling design works, supported by CMAL’s contractor who is anticipated to carry out the works for the council.
It is expected that adequate marshalling facilities will be maintained during the area’s improvement works and plans for temporary marshalling arrangements are being prepared.
Colonsay
On Colonsay, due to adverse weather, the dredging spread was unable to mobilise until April, meaning the works there are currently slightly behind programme.
Although the weather cannot be guaranteed, the outlook has now improved, and so it is hoped that a spell of continued fair weather might mean that Foyle—the dredging contractor—could make up for some lost time.
Making a difference in the community
CMAL and our principal contractor, George Leslie, are keen that communities benefit directly from the Islay Vessel Enabling Works and that the project has a lasting, positive social impact.
As members of the local community, you know best, and we’d like to support causes close to your heart. See our website for the kinds of causes we’ve supported in the past, and please get in touch with your ideas and suggestions.
Updates from Caledonian MacBrayne
Customers travelling to Islay and Colonsay
Caledonian MacBrayne has published a dedicated web page to support customers travelling to Islay and Colonsay between 19 June and 30 July, when Port Askaig will be closed temporarily.
The web pages have all the details and information customers need—including the amended timetables which will be in operation at that point and advice on travel bookings.
Those travelling in vehicles will find useful details on check in times, which are important to help manage traffic at Port Ellen. Foot passengers will also find details and information on transport connections on the island, mainland and between Islay and Jura.
Port Askaig Community Consultation
Community consultation is an important part of the preparation for and management of the project—and the feedback received from customers, communities and stakeholders formed the basis of the plan that’s now in place to support those travelling to and from Islay and Colonsay during the Port Askaig closure period.
Caledonian MacBrayne has published the information shared during the consultation phase for those who’d like to find out more.
We are looking forward to welcoming Islay’s new vessels into the CalMac fleet, they will provide much-needed resilience to the service and reduce the impact of vessel outages to the wider network.
While these enabling works are essential, the closure of a port does mean that we must carefully plan service continuation so that disruption is kept to a minimum.
During the six-week closure of Port Askaig, all ferry operations will run to and from Port Ellen and we have created alternative timetables for this period. We recently spent time on Islay, Jura, and Colonsay, talking to communities about these temporary changes, and we gathered insightful feedback during these sessions, and are grateful to all who gave their view and time to support.
We recognise that the closure will be challenging for our customers, and we are very grateful to them for their patience and understanding that this period of disruption is necessary for the infrastructure improvements, and to all the agencies involved in the new vessel and infrastructure programme.
—Finlay MacRae
Head of Operations, Caledonian MacBrayne
More Islay projects
There’s lots happening on Islay, so here’s a handy run-down of other CMAL projects on the island, where you can learn more, and who to contact:
Project
Port Ellen Terminal Development
Purpose
To increase the vehicle marshalling area, increase staff and visitor parking, improve port operations for commercial use, improve passenger access to vessels, and explore the location and size of an area for a proposed new terminal building.
Project
Port Ellen Harbour Revision Order
Purpose
As the Port Ellen Terminal Development Project progresses, an HRO will be promoted to extend the existing Statutory Harbour Authority Area in line with the final design and gain statutory consent to construct the works.
Project
Harbour Revision (Consolidation) Order
Purpose
To consolidate harbour legislation across our network of ports and harbours. The proposed Harbour Revision (Consolidation) Order will improve safety, and provide a consistent legal framework to operate, improve and maintain CMAL’s harbours and marine infrastructure.
Find out more
Thank you for taking the time to read this update.
More information on the Islay Vessel Enabling Works is available at: cmassets.co.uk/nivew
Get in touch: islayvessel@cmassets.co.uk
Our full privacy notice is available here.