Scotland’s Caledonian Maritime Assets has awarded a contract to Wallace Stone Consulting Engineers for design development work in advance of the introduction of a new LNG-powered ferry on the ‘Skye Triangle’ in 2018.
The work will include design development at CMAL’s Tarbert ferry terminal, and Lochmaddy ferry terminal, which is owned by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar.
An agreement is in place between CMAL and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, which will see CMAL manage the development and delivery of required works at Lochmaddy on the local authority’s behalf, CMAL said in a statement.
Two 102 metre dual fuel ferries, which will be able to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), are currently being built by Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) in Port Glasgow on behalf of CMAL.
One of the ferries has been earmarked for the ‘Skye Triangle’ route, although the final decision on the route lies with the ferry operator, Calmac.
Wallace Stone will be tasked with identifying the required harbour improvements at Lochmaddy and Tarbert, and working with CMAL and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar to agree preferred options to take to detailed design and construction, the statement reads.
Among the areas to be reviewed as part of the contract are mooring arrangements, fendering, linkspan, dredging, vehicle marshalling and access roads and footpaths.
CMAL said that the works would begin in January and last for 5 months.
The dual fuel ferries, currently known as Hull 801 and Hull 802, will be able to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs or a combination of both and up to 1,000 passengers.
The first ferry is expected to enter service in mid 2018, with the second vessel following shortly afterwards.