CONTRACT Awarded For New Clyde Passenger Ferry DesignCALEDONIAN Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has appointed consultants to come up with a concept design for a new Clyde passenger ferry.
The vessel will be designed to replace those currently operated by CalMac on the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan routes.
International design and engineering firm BMT has been awarded the £155,000 consultancy contract which is part of the Gourock Harbour Infrastructure and Vessels Project, a partnership between Transport Scotland, CMAL, CalMac and Argyll and Bute Council.
The project covers the redevelopment of Gourock Ferry Terminal and work to the harbour infrastructures at Dunoon and Kilcreggan, as well as the delivery of new passenger-only vessels.
BMT and CMAL will investigate and evaluate the application of energy efficiency solutions to make the new vessel design more sustainable while still offering the high level of safety and reliability expected from a lifeline ferry service.
Andy Crossan, senior technical manager and projects director at CMAL, said: “BMT has a strong track record of advanced vessel design, knowledge and experience, and has a thorough understanding of the challenges and the opportunities offered by the port infrastructure redevelopment.
“The contract award is an important milestone in the new vessel project, which will provide much-needed investment in the ferry service for the local community and the overall vessel fleet.”
Sylvain Julien, director at BMT, said: “BMT is committed to leading the way in designing vessels that lower the environmental impact, and we welcome the opportunity to work with CMAL to work towards increased sustainability by leveraging our deep understanding of advanced ferry design and operation.”
