CalMac’s newest ferry will officially enter service on Tuesday afternoon, several days after it was supposed to begin operations.
The MV Isle of Islay, which arrived in Scotland at the end of February, will carry passengers for the first time between Port Askaig on Islay and Kenncraig in Kintyre at 12.30 pm.
Over the last five weeks, the vessel, which was built by the Cemre shipyard in Turkey, has undergone berthing trials and work to repair minor faults. It was expected to enter service on Friday, March 27.
When operational, the ship will increase capacity to and from Islay by 40%, carrying 450 passengers, and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles.
Its arrival could not come at a worse time for the ferry operator, as ten ships were out of action across the West of Scotland on Monday, sparking emergency talks between ministers and CalMac bosses.
CalMac’s CEO Duncan Mackison said: “I am very pleased to be able to say that MV Isle of Islay will welcome her first official passengers on the Islay route this week. Islanders will have spotted her out on trials over the past few weeks, but this will be the first time they will get to travel on board.
“The difference the vessel will make to available capacity – 40% - will be extremely welcome on this popular and busy route, both for customers and for freight passengers.
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“The further three new large vessels and a further seven small vessels by 2029 will greatly improve reliability and resilience throughout the network.”
The MV Isle of Islay is the first of four CalMac ferries being built at the Cemre shipyard.
Its launch will help to ease pressures on a deeply-strained ferry network.
On Monday, it was revealed that the MV Isle of Cumbrae had been forced out of action until Thursday, and that the MV Carvoria suffered a technical fault.
It has previously been reported that the MV Glen Sannox, MV Lord of the Isles, MV Isle of Arran, MV Hebrides, MV Loch Frisa, MV Isle of Lewis and the chartered catamaran MV Alfred have all been sidelined as the result of various faults or for scheduled annual maintenance.
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