Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has today announced the names for seven new electric ferries, as decided by a public vote.
The names are:
- MV Loch Awe – MV Loch Obha
- MV Loch Etive – MV Loch Èite
- MV Loch Katrine – MV Loch Ceiteirein
- MV Loch Maree – MV Loch Ma-Ruibhe
- MV Loch Morar – MV Loch Mòrair
- MV Loch Rannoch – MV Loch Raineach
- MV Loch Shiel – MV Loch Seile
More than 1000 votes were cast over three weeks, with members of the public choosing their seven favourite names from a list of 17 options provided by CMAL.
The winning names will be assigned to the new loch-class ferries being built at Remontowa Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, as part of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP).
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “It’s great to see members of the public have their say and choose such fitting names for the seven new electric ferries that will operate on routes across the Clyde and Hebrides network.
“Alongside our significant investment in six new major vessels, these seven small vessels will serve island communities for years to come – improving the capacity and resilience of the CalMac fleet, while contributing to reduced carbon emissions with their electric operation.
“I welcome the continued progress on construction of these vessels, and I very much look forward to seeing these seven new ferries formally joining the fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides.”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote on naming these vessels, which will serve the island communities for many years to come.
“The new ferries are an important step in renewing the small-vessel fleet, and we’ll continue to work closely with the team at Remontowa as work progresses over the coming months.”
The vessels will serve key routes including Colintraive-Rhubodach, Lochaline-Fishnish, Tarbert-Portavadie, Iona-Fionnphort, Sconser-Raasay, Tobermory-Kilchoan and Tayinloan-Gigha.
With the first vessel in phase one expected to be delivered in 2027, the SVRP will improve the reliability and resilience of the lifeline ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network. As part of the wider programme, a series of harbour upgrades will be delivered across the network to accommodate the new vessels once they enter service.
