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New Ferry ‘MV Loch Seaforth’ for Stornoway Ullapool route
The new 116m long vessel will be able to carry up to 700 passengers, 143 cars or 20 commercial vehicles and be capable of operating around the clock 24 hours a day. It will be faster, quieter and more reliable in bad weather. This greater capacity - an increase of some 20% on current car and freight capacity - can be adapted further to increase sailing capacity if demand grows on the route.
The cutting edge design means the new vessel will be more fuel efficient and use a quarter less fuel than the combined fuel consumption of both vessels currently in operation. The new vessel will also incorporate new enhanced technical reliability which will allow maintenance during operation in turn minimising down time.
Combining all of the benefits of the new vessel with the upgrades to both Stornoway and Ullapool harbours being taken forward with harbour trusts, will mean users on this vital route can soon look forward to an enhanced package of ferry facilities.
The £42m vessel is expected to be fully deployed on her Stornoway to Ullapool run before June this year.
