Winning name for world’s next hybrid ferry announced.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has announced the winning name for the world’s second hybrid ferry. The innovative ferry, which is being built at Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd in Port Glasgow, is due to be launched in May and will be called MV LOCHINVAR.

The names of all ships in the new hybrid fleet will follow the first vessel, the MV HALLAIG, and be named after Scottish literature.  Hundreds of people voted for the new name and Lochinvar received over 55 per cent of the votes cast, with the name reflecting the poem by Sir Walter Scott, written in 1808.

The first sea going roll-on, roll-off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferry was launched in December 2012 and will enter service this summer on the Sconser to Raasay route. The second ferry, the MV LOCHINVAR will be launched in Port Glasgow on 23rd May and will service the Tarbert to Portavadie route.

Robert Cleary from Glasgow was drawn at random from all the competition entrants and he will be the special guest at MV LOCHINVAR’S launch. He has also won a one day ferry crossing of his choice for a car and two people on a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, courtesy of CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Guy Platten, Chief Executive of CMAL commented: “Our  state-of-the-art hybrid ferries are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and 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

For further information, please contact:
Christina Kelly – 0141 204 7800 / 0787 558 1955
Alix Laidlaw – 0131 220 8787 / 0797 577 6044

Notes to Editors

1. Full terms and conditions of the competition are on the CMAL website.
2. 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.
3. CMAL’s Hybrid Ferry Project was awarded a grant of £450,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in December 2011.
4. CMAL owns 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