Isle of Islay

March 2022 saw the contract for two new ferries being awarded to the Cemre shipyard in Turkey. Unlike the previous contract for what would become the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, this contract made no mention of dual fuelling or LNG - a source of great difficulty with the ships being constructed at Port Glasgow.

The first of what was to become known as the Islay Class began construction on 3rd October 2022 when the first steel was cut. The next milestone came in mid January 2023 when her keel was laid (and around the same time the first steel for her sister's build was cut). Construction took place throughout the remainder of 2023 and into the spring of 2024 and the two ships grew on adjacent slipways.

Names were chosen for the two new Islay vessels - the first being given the ultra-unimaginative name Isle of Islay. She was launched stern first on 16th March 2024 and cut a somewhat sleek figure once in the water with twin angled funnels and swept back masts. Fitting out progressed throughout the remainder of 2024, although due to global supply issues, her completion date by the end of 2024 was to be missed. It would now be the first quarter of 2025 before she would be delivered.

Drawings produced to date suggest the passenger accessible spaces and crew accommodation will be located on two decks, with an open deck accessible at the stern and between the funnels. Sadly there is no forward deck space like there is on Hebridean Isles and Isle of Arran. The car deck is open plan layout with 5 lanes of cars or 4 lanes of commercials, and will also incorporate two mezzanine decks, one for one lane of cars, the other for two lanes, similar to Loch Seaforth. The bow will be formed of clam shell doors, as has become the norm, with the bow ramp located behind. The stern ramp is of the same design found on Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, with the outward end section being adjustable offset port or starboard to suit the linkspan position.

We will update this profile as and when Isle of Islay is delivered and enters service, to include a description of her internal layout and facilities to be found onboard.