Voting opens on the shortlist to name the world’s second sea going hybrid ferry

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has announced the shortlist of names for their next sea going Roll On Roll Off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferry, due to launch in summer 2013.  The vessel is currently being built at Ferguson Shipyard in Port Glasgow and will be the second ferry in the new Scottish literature class, which will form the basis of all future hybrid ferry names. The first hybrid ferry, the MV HALLAIG, launched in December last year.

The shortlist has been put forward by the CMAL Board and the Scottish Government, based on the very best of Scottish poetry and literature to reflect the ferry’s creative technology and local roots.  The shortlisted names are –

•    CATRIONA
•    SUNSET SONG
•    LOCHINVAR
•    GREENVOE

The naming competition opens tomorrow (Friday 1st March) and to vote in the competition, ferry lovers should go online to: www.cmassets.co.uk/competition before Sunday 31st March, when voting closes.

One person will be picked at random from all of those voting and they (with a friend) will be a special guest at the ferry’s launch, anticipated as taking place in early summer 2013, as well as winning a one day ferry crossing of their choice for a car and two people on a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, courtesy of CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Guy Platten, Chief Executive of CMAL commented: “The hybrid ferry project demonstrates CMAL’s commitment to leading the way in innovative ferry design and we are really excited about the names we have shortlisted for our second ferry and look forward to seeing which one is most popular with ferry lovers.”

The hybrid ferries are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and this ferry will service the Tarbert to Portavadie route.  Both ferries will accommodate 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs, with a service speed of nine knots.  The new ferries will use some of the most innovative new ‘green’ technology, including Lithium Ion battery banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board.

Benefits include reduced fuel consumption and impact of CO2 emissions and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower maintenance requirements.
ENDS

Notes to Editors
1. Voting opens on Friday 1st March 2013 and closes on Sunday 31st March 2013.

2. Those wishing to take part in the competition can enter on-line at www.cmassets.co.uk/competition Full terms and conditions are on the CMAL website.

3. The two new vessels will be owned by CMAL who are leading the project and operated by the current operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac Ferries.

4. CMAL own property at piers and harbours in more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities.  In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL own 30 ferries, which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd.

5.    CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

6.    For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk