Cammell Laird wins ferry contract

This comes after Cammell Laird was previously named the preferred bidder for the project. Gordon Ross, managing director of Western Ferries recently announced the signing of the contract to Cammell Laird chief executive, John Syvret at a formal ceremony in Birkenhead.

Mr Ross said that even with such strong international competition, Western Ferries is happy that the ferries, which will carry the Cammell Laird hull number 1387 and 1388, will be built in the UK.

He explained: “These new ferries will be larger, faster and substantially more fuel efficient than the vessels they are replacing. They will provide an additional capacity of up to 20% to accommodate an expected increase in future demand fuelled by the local community, visitors to Dunoon and Cowal as well as those who choose to use our service in preference to the A82 Rest and Be Thankful road. Moreover, this additional speed will also provide Western Ferries with the ability to increase frequencies during peak periods thereby delivering a further 50% increase in capacity.”

Construction will begin soon and the vessels will be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in August 2013.