CalMac is about to publish a new timetable for increased sailings next month in preparation for holidaymakers planning island trips. Bosses said a relief crew will be brought in to operate the vessel once it returns to service. View Calmac Ferries timetables and search for Calmac Ferries offers! Journeys for the period from October 19 to March 25 are now available for booking following the timetable's launch. Speaking in Holyrood, islands minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “We […] The new ferry will be designed to replace the vessels currently operated on the routes by CalMac. The Arran Ferry Action Group is a new and fully representative lobbying group, set up to represent Arran interests in demanding service improvements and … It comes as the ferry company records an estimated £28m for 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It will operate an extra 153 sailings between the mainland port of Mallaig and Armadale on Skye between March 2 and March 26, an enhanced service is being trialled for the next three three years as part of efforts to extend the tourist season on the island. CalMac Ferries has been announced as the preferred tenderer for the next contract to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network by the Scottish first minister. The state-run ferry operator has previously claimed that they offered a better deal than Serco to win the £345-million tender. CalMac ferry cancelled amid new outbreak of Covid-19 on Scottish island. A short news snippet from Inverclyde Today learned that Calmac ordered a new ferry for the Kennacraig to Islay route. The current state of our lifeline ferry service shows it is not fit for purpose in terms of reliability, resilience and infrastructure. Reviews. The new ferry will be designed to replace the vessels currently operated on the routes by Scotland’s state ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). Meanwhile, the multi-million-pound ferry that is supposed to serve passengers on the Arran route floats on the Clyde, metres from where the First Minister launched her in 2017. The majority of CalMac ships provide baby changing facilities. The MV Isle of Lewis operates on the Oban to Castlebay, Barra run. The project covers the redevelopment of Gourouck Ferry Terminal and works to the harbour infrastructures at Dunoon and Kilcreggan, along with the delivery of new passenger vessels. Ferry operator CalMac serves 53 ports around the Scottish islands across its 28 routes. Independent panel The project covers the redevelopment of Gourock Ferry Terminal and works to the harbour infrastructures at Dunoon and Kilcreggan, as well as the delivery of new passenger-only ferries which are currently operated by CalMac. CMAL are looking to build a total of 19 new ships for the operator's fleet at a cost of £550m, but Mr Hobbs says the programme has been set back by two years because of the Ferguson's situation. The MV Isle of Lewis ferry has been returned from Barra to Oban following the announcement of Covid cases. 12 Sep 2018. It is earmarked for the Ardrossan to Brodick route. By The Newsroom. RMT Press Office: CALMAC Ferries union RMT today submitted written evidence of the impact on members and services from the delay and overspend on the Scottish Government’s contract with Ferguson Marine for two new passenger ferries. CalMac managing director Robbie Drummond said: "Since the Gourock-Dunoon route became passenger-only we have delivered 165,488 sailings successfully. FERRY passengers in Wester Ross are being urged to book in advance as much as possible amid continuing Covid-19 safety measures. The Ali Cat, which usually serves the Dunoon route, was spotted at Kilcreggan yesterday. BMT and CMAL will evaluate the application of energy efficiency solutions to make the new vessel design more sustainable. BMT and CMAL will investigate and evaluate the application of energy efficiency solutions to make the new vessel design more sustainable, while offering the high level of safety and reliability expected from a lifeline ferry service. Coronavirus ... information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time we have received the same information from the Ferry Operators. The MV Glen Sannox is a 102-metre long ferry which will be capable of operating on liquefied natural gas – a cleaner fuel – and marine gas oil. A union, representing ferry workers with CalMac, says it's ramping up the pressure for a fairer wage. The news follows years of campaigning by politicians and communities for the lifeline link with Gourock to … ... Latest update from NHSWI Chief Exec, ... Get involved with the news in your community. Thursday, 16th August 2018, ... Get the latest news on the Coronavirus CalMac made the plea after unveiling its planned timetable for the winter months. CalMac is to lauch new ferry services on key routes between Scotland's islands, it has been announced.. A CalMac ferry is undergoing a deep clean after three crew members tested positive for coronavirus. A CalMac ferry has been taken out of service after three crew members tested positive for Covid-19. The first ferry is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018, with the second vessel following a few months later. 7 February 2020. News THE UK’s largest ferry operator, Scotland’s Caledonian MacBrayne, has returned to the Remontowa Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, for the construction of its latest ferry in a £21.75m ($45.8m) newbuilding contract that will see a new vessel built to maintain the company’s Mainland-Islay … The new vessels are earmarked for the Arran and Skye Triangle routes, although the final decision on routes is subject to review by CalMac Ferries Ltd, CMAL and Transport Scotland. Thursday’s 10.30am and 5.30pm sailings from Ullapool and 2pm ferry out of Stornoway have all been cancelled due to an “adverse weather” forecast. The managing director of ferry company CalMac, ... Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, ... UK Covid deaths soar to new heights as 1,820 are killed by virus. A yellow weather warning covering the area where CalMac operates begins at 12pm on Saturday. News; Scotland; CalMac sues Scottish Government after losing ferry contract to Serco The decision prompted dismay from the RMT union, who said Serco should be ‘nowhere near public contracts’ CalMac's latest new ferry could now enter service more than a year late, The Scotsman has learned. Island economy 'scarred' by Covid-19 restrictions [BBC News] 20/09/2020: HITRANS demands review over 'closed group' decision making in Ferguson Marine ferry building fiasco [The Herald] 19/09/2020 'Book in advance' plea as CalMac unveils new timetable [Ross-shire Journal] 16/09/2020 CalMac's contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services comes to an end next year and the Scottish government has put the contract out to tender, in compliance with European Union (EU) law. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is preparing to ballot staff for industrial action after two previous rounds of pay negotiations with the ferry firm. It will remain in place until 11.59pm on Saturday evening. The contract is part of the Gourock Harbour Infrastructure & Vessels Project, a partnership between Transport Scotland, CMAL, ferry operator CalMac, and Argyll and Bute Council. Workers on Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry services could go on strike after recent pay talks collapsed, a union has warned. The RMT claims staff have been given a below inflation pay offer and are demanding more. ... or catch up with some news. The tendering process was the source of a dispute between unions - which wanted the ferry services to remain in public hands - and CalMac and the Scottish government last year. Ferry operator CalMac serves 53 ports around the Scottish islands across its 28 routes. A yellow weather warning covering the area where CalMac operates begins at 12pm on Saturday. Alternative options are therefore ignored by Calmac and traditional ships will continue to sail the Islay route. CalMac will take over the Kilcreggan ferry service on June 1, it was finally confirmed today. 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