Production Underway for CMAL’s Initial Two Ferries
On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A.—a member of the Remontowa Holding Group—marked two key milestones in its latest project for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The shipyard celebrated the keel laying of the first passenger-car ferry (B621/1) and the steel-cutting ceremony for the second vessel in the series (B621/2). These ships are the first pair from a total order of seven newbuilds.
Both ferries are being constructed within the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, an initiative aimed at phasing out ageing units serving Scotland’s west-coast communities and enhancing the reliability and efficiency of local maritime transport.
A standout feature of the new vessels is their hybrid-electric propulsion. Each ferry will operate with four azimuth thrusters powered primarily by a lithium-ion battery system of around 5.7 MWh. This capacity will allow the ships to run in full electric mode throughout the day, cutting emissions and noise levels, increasing passenger comfort, and contributing to wider decarbonisation efforts within the maritime sector.
Once delivered, the ferries will serve routes among the scenic islands of the Hebrides archipelago, accommodating up to 150 passengers and 24 cars per voyage.
The vessels are based on a design developed jointly by Norway’s LMG Marin and Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting, part of the Remontowa Holding Group. They will comply with stringent environmental requirements, including Lloyd’s Register’s ECO class notation.
The first of the new ferries, whose keel has just been laid, is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2027. The second vessel—now entering production—will follow roughly three months later.
These are not the first ships Remontowa has built for CMAL. Between 2005 and 2011, the yard delivered three passenger-car ferries serving routes between Glasgow, other major west-coast ports, and the islands of the Western Hebrides.
Photos: Sławomir Lewandowski / PortalMorski.pl
