New cat for Orkneys

It was a case of out with the very old and in with the very new as FBMA Marine Inc, the Aboitiz Corp owned shipbuilders based in Cebu, Philippines, recently signed a contract with Pentland Ferries to supply a 70m catamaran ferry for operation from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Isles.

The new catamaran design will operate on Pentland Ferries existing route from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope replacing the existing ageing ferries. Up to 8 trucks, 32 cars and 250 passengers will be accommodated onboard the newbuilding providing a modern spacious passenger area. With a 45 minute crossing time, the company said the vessel’s design has been optimised to deliver exceptional revenue carrying capabilities for Pentland Ferries when compared against other vessels operating within the Scottish ferry market. The catamaran’s excellent fuel efficiency will also provide Pentland Ferries with an overall reduction in emissions, they say.

Pentland Ferries said that increased popularity on the Scottish mainland route has enabled this significant investment in a modern catamaran with FBMA Marine. Speaking at the contract signature owner of Pentland Ferries, Andrew Banks, said “This investment will allow Pentland Ferries to significantly increase the quality and value for money that we are already offering to the local community and visitors to Orkney”. Andrew added that he was expecting the increase in daily sailings will play its part in attracting new tourists and visitors to Orkney.

The vessel is designed by the naval architect company Sea Transport Solutions in Australia who have developed the design to meet the route requirements in Scotland. Construction will commence soon and delivery will be in 2008 for the start of the new summer timetable.

Currently the route is served by the ?Pentalina B?, originally built at Troon, Ayrshire for David MacBrayne (later to become Caledonian MacBrayne) in 1970 as the IONA and the ?Claymore?, another ex Calmac vessel built in 1978. The former vessel, due to class restrictions, is deployed during the summer months on the route while in winter it is served by Claymore.