Construction has begun at Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. on the fifth (B621/5) of seven state-of-the-art double-ended all-electric ferries being built for Scottish ferry operator Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) under one of the Gdańsk shipyard's largest current contracts.

The contract for the delivery of all seven vessels was signed in March 2025, while construction of the first ferry commenced on 24 September 2025. The design was developed jointly by Norwegian naval architecture firm LMG Marin and Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting, part of the Remontowa Holding Group. At the time, the Gdańsk shipyard stated that the project had been designed to meet the industry's most stringent environmental standards, including Lloyd's Register ECO notation, which exceeds standard international requirements.

"The vessels have been designed to combine high operational efficiency with a reduced environmental footprint. They will be equipped with a fully electric propulsion system, a battery installation with a total capacity of 5,746 kWh, a decentralised electrical power distribution system, and four azimuth thrusters" – Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. said.

Each vessel will be capable of carrying up to 150 passengers and 24 cars, providing reliable service under demanding operating conditions on routes linking the picturesque islands of Scotland's Hebrides.

The ferries will operate on several key lifeline services, including the Colintraive–Rhubodach, Lochaline–Fishnish, Tarbert–Portavadie, Iona–Fionnphort, Sconser–Raasay, Tobermory–Kilchoan, and Tayinloan–Gigha routes. The introduction of the new vessels will also allow existing ferries to be redeployed, improving services on the Largs–Cumbrae and Oban–Lismore routes.

"Work is currently progressing simultaneously on individual vessels at various stages of construction—from prefabrication and hull section assembly to outfitting. This production model ensures the smooth delivery of the programme and efficient coordination of successive construction phases" – the shipyard said in a statement.

The names of all seven ferries were selected through a public vote. The vessels will be named MV Loch Awe, MV Loch Etive, MV Loch Katrine, MV Loch Maree, MV Loch Morar, MV Loch Rannoch, and MV Loch Shiel.

The vessels are being built under the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, which aims to modernise Scotland's ferry fleet. The shipbuilding contract alone is valued at £147.5 million, with delivery of the seven ferries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

Photos: Remontowa Shipbuilding press release