CalMac Ferries Limited - Experts & Thought Leaders

A nine-day project to replace bow visor hinge pins and bearings for CalMac Ferries’ MV Isle of Mull has been completed by Cammell Laird. Delivered as part of the vessel’s annual survey, the project involved a multi-disciplinary approach from Cammell Laird’s planning, technical and lifting teams in order to remove the vessel’s 33-tonne bow visor and replace its hinge pins and bearings. The programme involved a series of heavy lifts using 200-tonne jacks and a 350-tonne mobile crane to transfer the bow visor to rigging on the bottom of Cammell Laird’s number 6 dry dock. Minimise vessel downtime Paul Owen, Managing Director at Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited said: “Removal of bow visors is not a commonplace activity but it was necessary on this project to facilitate the removal and replacement of the Isle of Mull’s main hinge pins and bearings." “Thanks to the input of our planning and technical teams, we had a very precise programme before the Isle of Mull arrived in dock, which helped to minimise vessel downtime, deliver efficiencies and expedite the project quickly.” Series of inspections and water tests Cammell Laird reinstalled the bow visor and carried out a series of reviews and water tests to secure that seal integrity Following the replacement of the bow visor’s main hinge pins and bearings, Cammell Laird reinstalled the bow visor and carried out a series of inspections and water tests to ensure that seal integrity had not been compromised. The MV Isle of Mull ferry, which has a capacity for 70 vehicles and 962 passengers, provides a regular service between Oban and the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. Cammell Laird’s knowledge of vessels  Graham Henderson, Head of Technical Operations – Asset Management, for CalMac Ferries, said: “Our ferries provide a vital link for those on Scotland’s west coast so it’s imperative they operate to the highest and safest standards. Cammell Laird’s knowledge of our vessels, combined with their planning expertise, adds real value to CalMac as it delivers certainty to the budget and when our vessels can return to service." “Work on the MV Isle of Mull was delivered efficiently, professionally and with Cammell Laird’s trademark commitment to quality and precision engineering.” CalMac’s five largest vessels Cammell Laird has recently secured a new four-year contract for the annual maintenance and dry docking of CalMac’s five largest vessels - MV Clansman, MV Loch Seaforth, MV Lord of The Isles, MV Finlaggan and MV Hebrides – which provide an essential service between the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Scottish Mainland.  All five ferries will dock annually at Cammell Laird, with the first vessels arriving in early 2021.

Cammell Laird has secured a new contract with one of the UK’s largest ferry operators for the annual maintenance and dry docking of five large vessels in its fleet. CalMac Ferries has awarded Cammell Laird a four-year contract with the option to extend it for two further one-year periods. The contract spans the MV Clansman, MV Loch Seaforth, MV Lord of The Isles, MV Finlaggan and MV Hebrides – all of which provide an essential lifeline service from the Inner and Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Mainland. All five ferries are expected to dock at Cammell Laird between October and March each year, with the first vessels arriving in early 2021. Vessel availability for CalMac Neil Harden, Commercial Director at Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited, said: “We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with CalMac Ferries, but this is the first time we’ve been awarded a contract of this length. This is particularly significant as it allows us to undertake more long-term and strategic planning, which in turn will deliver greater cost efficiencies, value and vessel availability for CalMac." “We have the optimum facilities to support CalMac’s fleet with four docks to suit the larger vessels, plus the afloat berthing facility in the wet basin is used for MCA life raft deployments and running engines under load after major overhauls.” Maximise vessel availability CalMac Ferries is the UK’s largest ferry operator, running 29 routes to over 50 goals across 200 miles Julie Philpott, Director of Asset Management from CalMac Ferries, said: “The team at Cammell Laird demonstrated a strong knowledge of our vessels and scored particularly highly on the technical and quality aspects of their competitive contract tender. We look forward to continuing with our long-standing relationship with the team at Cammell Laird. The longer-term contract will afford us significant benefits, all of which help to maximise vessel availability and continue offering the best service for our customers.” CalMac Ferries is the UK’s largest ferry operator, running 29 routes to over 50 destinations across 200 miles of the Scottish West Coast and has been drydocking its vessels at Cammell Laird since 2003. About of Cammell Laird Cammell Laird was founded in 1828 and is based on the River Mersey, in the Liverpool City Region, on the west coast of Britain. The company’s Birkenhead site expands across 130 acres and includes four dry docks, a large modular construction hall and extensive covered workshops.  It is also at the centre of a marine and engineering cluster, with easy access to support services, classification societies and port state authorities.