👷 The construction of seven small vessels is underway Work to build seven new loch-class electric ferries for Scotland’s island communities has officially begun.

🤝 In-person session Tuesday, 18 November 2025 Rockfield Centre Oban 16:00–19:00 🧑‍💻 Online session Thursday, 20 November 2025 Microsoft Teams 18:00–19:00 Sign up for the online event here: https://t.co/jOO4sgZY9k

These changes will support the requirements for new vessels being proposed for routes using this berth, and are designed to help ensure future resilience.

⛴️ Learn about our plans for the Oban 1 berth We’re inviting communities to learn about our plans to upgrade the infrastructure at the ‘Oban 1’ linkspan and its adjacent slipway. https://t.co/0qAm36INMT

[3/3] To avoid any inconvenience, please refrain from parking in these designated areas, as any vehicles left there may need to be relocated to facilitate the works. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at KennacraigTMP@cmassets.co.uk.

[2/3] Any vehicles parked in the areas indicated must be removed by 30 October 2025. These areas will be closed off once they are clear of parked vehicles, and we will contact any remaining vehicle owners in the coming weeks.

[1/3]🚙 Do you park your car at Kennacraig? 🚘 We're planning to improve traffic management at the port by installing new signs, guardrails, and crossings, and refreshing the road markings. To let our contractor get to work, we'll need you to keep your vehicle out of these areas:

New ferries for the Sound of #Harris and the Sound of #Barra ⛴️ Missed our recent public events? Catch up on what we presented, including: • vessel design progress • infrastructure and shore power • hull form analysis Learn more now:

Learn more and read the full story at:

The event marks the first major build milestone for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP), which will deliver seven fully electric ferries in this first phase. The vessels will provide improved reliability and resilience for lifeline ferry services across the network.

Transport Secretary @FionaHyslop announces the second stage of procurement for new freight ferries. Four yards have been invited to tender for two freight flex vessels to serve the #NorthernIsles network. Read more ➡️ https://t.co/l4tVGXBqqc

Don't worry if you can't attend in person, materials presented at the events are available via the project page on our website. For more information, as well as the relevant documents and forum to ask questions, visit https://t.co/M9cVPmIK3W We look forward to seeing you there.

This is an in-person drop-in session, so please come by at a time convenient to you. This will improve safety and provide a consistent legal framework for operating, improving, and maintaining the CMAL harbours and marine infrastructure.

📢 Public Event at #Tobermory We're inviting you to share your views on a project to consolidate harbour legislation across our network of ports and harbours. ⛴️ Tobermory 📍 Western Isles Hotel 📅 Thursday, 25 September 2025 🕓 16:00–19:00 https://t.co/N6UyNyT3mi

For more information about the Small Vessel Replacement Programme’s first and second phases, including the associated port infrastructure works, please visit:

Following these events, all materials presented will be published on our website, and all questions asked will be recorded in our Q&A document. We look forward to seeing you at the events.

Representatives from CMAL, @CalMacFerries, @cne_siar, and @transcotland will attend the events planned from Monday, 22 September, to Thursday, 25 September. During the meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to share their views and comments, as well as ask questions.

Updates will include the new vessels’ concept design and progress made on hull form optimisation, as well as key milestone dates and estimated delivery of these vessels planned for deployment in the Sound of Barra and the Sound of Harris.

⛴️ Small Vessel Replacement Programme Phase 2 #SVRP Public events Following the public engagement events held in January 2025, CMAL is hosting a further series of in-person sessions across the Outer Hebrides.

📢 Calling all contractors, professional service providers, port operators, local authorities, and agencies You can help shape how we work with suppliers and deliver port infrastructure projects 🏗️ Get all the details and download the info pack now: