Polish shipyard signs contract to build seven new electric ferries for Scotland

A contract awarded to a Polish shipyard for the construction of seven new electric ferries for Scotland has been signed.

Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdansk was awarded the contract to build the new vessels earlier this month after a tendering process in which it saw off competition from publicly owned Ferguson Marine and three other yards.

Following a mandatory ten-day “standstill period” the contract to build the ferries has been signed by ferry procurement arm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) and the Polish shipyard.

The fully electric loch-class ferries are due to serve the Isle of Bute, Mull, Loch Fyne, Raasay and Gigha, with the first vessel expected to be delivered by 2027.

They constitute phase one of the small vessel replacement programme (SVRP), with procurement of three further ferries under phase two of the programme due to be put to competitive tender later this year.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop described the signing of the contract as a “significant step” in the Government’s ferry 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,” she said.

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

Phase one of the SVRP is backed by a £160m investment from the Scottish Government, £147.5m of which covers the value of the shipbuilding contract, with the remaining £12.5m covering a 3% budget contingency and “ancillary costs”.

Cmal chief executive Kevin Hobbs highlighted Remontowa’s track record of providing ferries for Scotland.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Michal Jaguszewski, director of commerce at Remontowa, said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with (ship design firm) LMG Marin 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 work closely with the yard to progress to the next phase of the contract, which will see detailed designs for the vessels completed.