By
Rebecca Gibson |
Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) launched the second of its two new hybrid ro-ro ferries from Ferguson Shipbuilders’ yard in Port Glasgow on 23 May 2013.
Lochinvar, one of only two passenger and vehicle ro-ro ferries in the world to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and lithium ion battery power, was launched by Patricia Platten, wife of CMAL CEO Guy Platten.
At 142-ft in length, the diesel-electric hybrid ferry accommodates 150 passengers, as well as 23 cars or two HGVs. It was named in tribute to an 1808 poem written by Sir Walter Scott and is scheduled to operate on the Tarbert to Portavadie route by the end of 2013.
Following completion at the Ferguson yard, the first hybrid ferry Hallaig, which was launched in December 2012, will enter service on the Sconser to Raasay route. A new Stornoway-Ullapool ship will also be delivered during 2014 after a £20 million investment from the Scottish Government.
“The launch of both Hallaig and Lochinvar demonstrate CMAL’s commitment to leading the way in innovative ferry design and our focus on creating new vessel technology,” said Grenville Johnston, chairman of CMAL. “These ferries will come into operation in 2013 and their technology will be cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. Their introduction to our fleet demonstrates the vast economic potential of developing green technology within the transport industry.”