Skotske Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited har overtaget ejerskabet af de 3 færger (LOCH INDAAL, LOCHMOR og CLAYMORE), som de får bygget på det tyrkiske værft Cemre Shipyard. LOCH INDAAL har for nyligt været på en vellykket prøvesejlads, mens de to sidste færger, stadig er et pænt stykke vej fra at være færdige.
“While we are disappointed by the circumstances that have led to this decision, our priority remains the completion of these vessels for the communities that depend on them. Taking ownership of the vessels at this stage is a precautionary move to reduce risk, protect the investment already made and support our objective of bringing these vessels into service as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will continue to work closely with the shipyard and partners to maintain progress towards delivery.”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive officer at CMAL.
Beslutningen om at overtage ejerskabet af de 3 færger, selvom de endnu ikke er færdigbyggede, skyldes de økonomiske problemer værftet er i. Det var samme værft, som også leverede de forsinkede færger NERTHUS og TYRFING til Molslinjen og THE BALTIC WHALE til Scandlines.
Ved at overtage ejerskabet beskytter CMAL deres investering i færgerne, da de nu ejer dem, og kan få slæbt dem til et andet værft, hvis det tyrkiske værft går konkurs. Indtil videre fortsætter Cemre Shipyard med at bygge færgerne færdige.
“I can reassure island communities that this measure has no immediate impact on the service we provide. We have two major vessels operating as resilience vessels this summer, in part thanks to the arrival of MV Isle of Islay. She has proven to be a valuable and highly regarded addition to the fleet and we will continue to support CMAL and our partners as we move towards completion of her sister ships.”
Duncan Mackison, Chief Executive of CalMac.
Kilde: Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
