CMAL Wins Scottish Transport Award 2014

MV HALLAIG has won Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards 2014.

The Annual Scottish Transport Awards, hosted by journalist and television presenter Kirsty Wark, was held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow last night (Thursday 19 June).  The best of Scotland’s transport industry were honoured at the event which recognises excellence, innovation and progress across all areas of transport in Scotland.

MV HALLAIG is the world’s first seagoing passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off hybrid ferry 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 is powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which supplies power to electric propulsion motors that turn the propellers.

Andrew Flockhart and Grenville Johnston accepted the prestigious award on behalf of CMAL.

Andrew Flockhart commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to have received such a prestigious award among so many other deserving projects.  We are committed to leading the way in innovative ferry design and building for the future and it is very rewarding to have this work recognised by our peers at a national level.”

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP gave the keynote speech on the night and said:

“With so many transport successes to reflect on in Scotland over the past 12 months, and many more exciting projects currently underway or in the pipeline, it’s important to recognise the people behind the headlines who don’t always get the credit they deserve.  We will build on the progress created by the largest ever investment in Scotland’s transport infrastructure in recent years, and I hope our continued commitment to transport projects as a key driver of sustainable economic growth continues to pay dividends.  These awards recognise excellence, innovation and progress, and some of the unsung heroes who help keep Scotland moving – even in the most testing conditions.”

CMAL started the Hybrid Ferry Project following a Scottish Government investment worth over £20 million to build the two world-first hybrid ferries and continue the proud heritage and tradition of shipbuilding on the Clyde.

The Hybrid Ferries Project received additional funding of £450,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

MV HALLAIG is joined by another of its kind, the MV LOCHINVAR, which has now entered service.

Local communities in Sconser and Rassay have been the first to benefit from the green technology investment with the ferry becoming a vital lifeline to islanders.  MV HALLAIG is capable of accommodating 150 passengers and 23 cars or 2 HGVs, with a service speed of nine knots.

Image: Kirsty Wark, Andrew Flockhart, Grenville Johnston and Alan Leech – Regional Development Manager from Clear Channel (sponsor of the award).