SVRP: Contract Signed for Small Vessels

Following a mandatory 10-day standstill period, the contract for seven new loch-class electric ferries has been awarded.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland have signed the contract to build the small vessels, which will support island communities and improve the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry fleet. It is expected that the first ferry will be delivered in 2027.

The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will see seven fully electric vessels built in this first phase. Three more will be delivered in phase two of the project, which will be procured through a separate competitive tender process later this year.

Phase one of the programme is backed by a £160m investment from Scottish Government.  The value of the shipbuilding contract is £147.5m, while the remaining £12.5m includes a 3% budget contingency and ancillary costs associated with the project. 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said:

“CMAL signing the contract to build seven new small vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides fleet is a significant step in our ferries improvement programme.

“When added to the six new major vessels joining the fleet in the coming years, these new electric vessels will mean that this Government has invested to renew around a third of CalMac’s entire fleet.

“I would like to thank CMAL for the work involved in reaching this important milestone.”

Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL said:

“As we work to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet and accompanying infrastructure, we are replacing up to 16 new vessels in the next six years. Signing this contract for seven of them is a big step forward in our plans.

“In 2011, Remontowa delivered the MV Finlaggan, and before that, the MV Bute and MV Argyle. We are confident the team will build and deliver high quality ferries which will benefit communities across Scotland with increased resilience and lower emissions.”

Michał Jaguszewski, Director of Commerce at Remontowa, said:

“We are looking forward to working in partnership with LMG Marin [ship design firm] and CMAL to design, build and deliver these new vessels.

“We have the experience and expertise to supply the modern, highly efficient and environmentally friendly ships on time and on budget, with a clear focus on reliability.”

CMAL will now work closely with the yard to progress to the next phase of the contract, which will see detailed designs for the vessels completed.