Construction costs for four new CalMac ferries being built in Turkey have increased by £20 million, with significant delays now confirmed for the remaining vessels. The state-owned ferries agency CMAL announced that MV Loch Indaal, the second of the four ships under construction at Cemre shipyard, will not be delivered until October—approximately 20 months behind the original schedule. The third and fourth vessels, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore, intended for Western Isles routes, are now expected to arrive in the first half of 2027.
Only one of the four ferries ordered from Cemre in 2022 and 2023 has so far entered service. MV Isle of Islay began operating on the Islay route in March, itself arriving more than a year late. The vessel has experienced multiple technical issues, including faulty bow doors and mezzanine deck problems, though CalMac has indicated satisfaction with the overall vessel despite these complications.
Why did costs rise and what triggered the payment?
In June, CMAL made the strategic decision to pay the full outstanding £23 million for the three incomplete ships in advance, departing from the standard shipbuilding practice of staged payments with final settlement upon delivery. This move was designed to address severe cash flow pressures at Cemre and to secure CMAL's ownership of the incomplete vessels, protecting against potential complications if the shipyard faced insolvency. According to CMAL's August 2026 update, the agency secured ownership of the remaining Cemre vessels as a precautionary measure to support completion and delivery for island communities. In a worst-case scenario, CMAL could arrange for the vessels to be towed to another shipyard for completion.
Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn confirmed that Scottish ministers had approved an additional £20 million to cover CMAL's project management costs. Flynn stated that
CMAL continue robust monitoring through their on-site staff, as well as regular visits by senior management teams.However, Flynn declined to specify what additional costs had been incurred, citing commercial sensitivities. CMAL also engages sub-contractors to provide shipbuilding supervision services on its behalf, according to available information.
What challenges has the Turkish shipyard faced?
Cemre, a substantial Turkish shipbuilder based at Yalova, has encountered considerable difficulties in recent years. The yard has struggled with falling exchange rates, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages, all of which have contributed to the project delays and cost pressures. These broader economic challenges in the Turkish shipbuilding sector have directly impacted the delivery timeline for Scotland's new ferries.
All four Turkish-built ferries have been launched but require extensive fitting-out work and sea trials before they can enter service.
What are the revised delivery dates?
CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs informed Holyrood's transport committee that MV Loch Indaal is now expected to be handed over in October. Following delivery, the vessel will undertake a journey of at least two weeks to Scotland, after which crew familiarisation and berthing checks will take place before the ship enters service. According to CMAL's August 2026 update, the three incomplete ferries—MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore—remain under construction at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey.
In correspondence to the transport committee, Hobbs indicated that sea trials for the third ship are scheduled for November, with delivery anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. The fourth and final vessel is due to be handed over in the second quarter of 2027. MV Lochmor and MV Claymore are designated to serve the Little Minch routes connecting Skye to Harris and North Uist.
What was the original contract value?
The original contract prices for all four ships totalled approximately £200 million. The £20 million cost increase therefore represents a 10 percent rise on the initial budget. This escalation reflects both the additional project management expenses and the costs associated with the extended construction timeline at Cemre.
What happens next?
According to CMAL's August 2026 update, the aim is to support completion and delivery of the three remaining ships, though no specific new handover dates beyond those already announced have been provided. The agency will continue its robust monitoring through on-site staff and regular senior management visits to ensure the vessels progress toward their revised delivery schedules. The completion of these four ferries is critical for CalMac's ability to maintain and improve ferry services to Scotland's island communities, which have experienced significant disruption due to vessel shortages and maintenance requirements in recent years.
