PORT ELLEN RE-OPENS WITH NEW LINKSPAN

Port Ellen Ferry Terminal has re-opened after Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited completed essential work to install a new linkspan.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which owns Port Ellen, closed the berth on 24th October for a period of three weeks to replace the linkspan, which had come to the end of its life.  Cylinders and pipework were also upgraded as part of the maintenance and upgrade project, which delivered a total investment of approximately £400,000.

During the three-week closure, services operated by Calmac Ferries Ltd were diverted to Port Askaig.  Services will now resume at Port Ellen as per the winter timetable.

Brian Sydney, Senior Civil Engineer at CMAL said:

“The local community in Islay will be pleased to know that Port Ellen has now re-opened with a new linkspan in place.  We understand the three-week closure will have created disruption and inconvenience for some passengers and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

“Installation of the new linkspan is part of our ongoing programme of harbour maintenance and upgrade work to ensure our harbours offer a safe and reliable ferry service.”

Simon Richmond, CalMac’s area manager said:

“I’m sure everyone will be delighted that the work has gone to plan and has been completed on schedule and we would like to thank passengers for their patience during the course of this improvement work.”

Notes to editors:

  1. Issued by Clark Communications on behalf of CMAL.  For media enquiries contact Angela Hughes, 0141 548 8028 / angela@clarkcommunications.co.uk
  2. CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 26 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities.
  3. In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL owns 31 ferries and lease one further ferry. All 32 vessels are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides. In addition, three ferries are currently under construction.
  4. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
  5. For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk

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