DESIGN work has been commissioned for a new passenger ferry linking Kilcreggan and Gourock.

Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) has awarded a contract to BMT, an international design and engineering firm, to provide consultancy services for a vessel concept design.

The ferry will replace the vessels which are currently used on the two services – including the MV Chieftain, which has been chartered from Clyde Marine Services (CMS) of Greenock since CalMac Ferries Ltd took over operation of the route from the Inverclyde firm in June of last year.

CMS itself took over the running of the service in May 2018 after previous operator Clydelink was stripped of the contract following heavy criticism of its performance.

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The contract award comes after the ferry procurement process was heavily criticised in a report by MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee, who examined the fallout from the order by CMAL of two ferries from the now nationalised Ferguson shipyard on the Clyde.

The process has also been criticised locally due to the lack of public consultation with people in Cove, Kilcreggan and the wider Rosneath peninsula.

The £155,000 contract awarded to BMT is part of the Gourock Harbour Infrastructure and Vessels Project, a partnership between Transport Scotland, CMAL, CalMac and Argyll and Bute Council.

It covers the redevelopment of Gourock ferry terminal and works to the harbour infrastructures at Dunoon and Kilcreggan, as well as the delivery of new passenger-only vessels.

But concerns have been raised in Kilcreggan over whether the new ship will be able to use Kilcreggan pier.

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The design work is expected to incorporate energy-efficiency solutions alongside safety and reliability.

Andy Crossan, senior technical manager and projects director at CMAL, said: “BMT has a strong track record of advanced vessel design, knowledge and experience, and has a thorough understanding of the challenges and the opportunities offered by the port infrastructure redevelopment.

“The contract award is an important milestone in the new vessel project, which will provide much-needed investment in the ferry service for the local community and the overall vessel fleet.”

Sylvain Julien, director at BMT, said: “BMT is committed to leading the way in designing vessels that lower the environmental impact, and we welcome the opportunity to work with CMAL to work towards increased sustainability by leveraging our deep understanding of advanced ferry design and operation.”

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