Islay Enabling Works
Stakeholder Update
Issue 5—March 2025
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.
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
We are pleased to confirm that all dredging and fendering works at Kennacraig are now complete.
The construction of the north berth wall is also finished, and the drilling rigs and cranes have left the site.
The fixed ramp re-profiling works are also complete and after some resurfacing works around this area, the north berth will be ready to open for ferry service in March 2025.
New fenders on north berth at Kennacraig
New fenders on north berth at Kennacraig
New pipe bridge for shorepower cable tray in Kennacraig
New pipe bridge for shorepower cable tray in Kennacraig
New electrical house for shorepower behind EV charger at Kennacraig
New electrical house for shorepower behind EV charger at Kennacraig
New pipe bridge from shore to inner platform for shorepower cable tray in Kennacraig
New pipe bridge from shore to inner platform for shorepower cable tray in Kennacraig
Reprofiled fixed ramp at Kennacraig
Reprofiled fixed ramp at Kennacraig
Additionally, significant progress has been made on electrical works on the landside for shore power infrastructure, including the building of a new electrical house and the laying of all underground cable ducts.
This marks the end of major works and some finishing works on electrical infrastructure for shore power. Some other minor works are expected to continue until late spring/early summer.
Port Askaig
At Port Askaig, most of the enabling works are now complete, with only some minor finishing works remaining.
We are eagerly anticipating the delivery and installation of the mooring aid winch in March. The system will be tested and commissioned once the MV Islay of Islay arrives in Scotland.
Colonsay
All works at Colonsay were completed by the end of last year. However, post-work dive surveys identified the need for remedial works to rectify some issues.
Yokohama fenders
Yokohama fenders
Dredging barge at Colonsay pier
Dredging barge at Colonsay pier
Workers at Colonsay
Workers at Colonsay
Fendering at Colonsay
Fendering at Colonsay
These underwater works are currently ongoing, but we don’t expect that there will be any disruption to ferry services.
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.