Remontowa Shipbuilding has begun construction of its fifth ferry for Scotland
Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. marked another significant milestone with the steel-cutting ceremony for the fifth of seven state-of-the-art double-ended, fully electric ferries being built for the Scottish ferry owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).
The start of construction of B621/5 represents another important step in the execution of one of the shipyard’s largest ongoing contracts.
At present, construction activities are underway across individual vessels at different stages of production, ranging from the prefabrication and assembly of hull sections to outfitting works.
This integrated production approach ensures the smooth delivery of the programme while enabling efficient coordination across all phases of construction.
The ferries are being built in Gdańsk under the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP), an initiative aimed at modernising the fleet serving Scotland’s west coast ferry network. Designed to combine operational efficiency with environmental performance, the vessels will feature an electric propulsion system, 5,746 kWh battery capacity, a decentralised electrical power distribution system, and four azimuth thrusters. Together, these technologies will provide outstanding manoeuvrability, high reliability, and low-emission operation supported by overnight battery charging. These features are particularly important for reliable operations in the demanding conditions encountered on ferry routes between the picturesque islands of Scotland’s Hebrides.
The continued execution of the programme’s successive stages demonstrates the steady progress of work on a series of modern ferries, which are scheduled for delivery to the shipowner between 2027 and 2029.
Jim Anderson, Director of Vessels at CMAL, said: “The steel cutting for the fifth vessel in the programme is another important milestone and reflects the steady progress being made across the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.
“With construction now underway on multiple vessels at different stages, it is encouraging to see the benefits of the shipyard’s phased production approach. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Remontowa as we deliver these modern, fully electric ferries to support Scotland’s island communities.”
Source: RSB
