Further delays to CalMac ferries being built in Turkey as costs rise by £20m

Three ferries being built in Turkey face further delays as it was announced that project costs have risen by around £20 million.

The MV Loch Indaal is now expected to be handed over in October, while the MV Lochmor and the MV Claymore are both due to be delivered in the first half of 2027.

All three vessels are under construction at the Cemre shipyard in Turkey to join the CalMac fleet and serve routes on Scotland’s west coast in a bid to ease pressures caused by its ageing vessels.

Ferries infrastructure body CMAL took ownership of the three ferries in June as a “precautionary” measure.

It paid in full for the unfinished ferries, as the Turkish shipyard faced financial difficulties.

In an update, CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs told Holyrood’s transport committee the MV Loch Indaal will be complete by October, before making its voyage back to Scotland to enter service.

It will service routes between Islay and Kennacraig on the mainland.

In the letter to the committee, Hobbs said sea trials for the MV Lochmor are planned for November, and it is expected to be delivered by the first quarter of next year.

The MV Claymore launched in early May and is expected to be delivered by the second quarter of 2027.

Hobbs added that CMAL maintains a full site team presence at the shipyard, and there are regular visits from senior management and directors.

In a separate letter, transport secretary Stephen Flynn confirmed ministers have approved around £20 million for additional project costs to help the shipyard complete all three vessels.

He said: “CMAL continue robust monitoring through their on-site staff, as well as regular visits by senior management teams”.

Flynn also confirmed CMAL will retain ownership of the vessels and manage costs for the remainder of the build process.

The original cost for four ships to be built at the Cemre shipyard was £200 million.

CMAL’s chief executive said a full update regarding the vessels will be given no later than September 30.

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