New catamaran ferry for Orkney Isles

It was a case of out with the very old and in with the very new as FBMA Marine Inc, the Aboitiz Corp owned shipbuilders based in Cebu, Philippines signed a contract on February 19th 2007 with Pentland Ferries to supply a 70m catamaran ferry for operation from Scotland to the Orkney Isles.

The modern catamaran design will operate on Pentland Ferries existing route from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope replacing the existing ageing ferries.

Up to 8 trucks, 32 cars and 250 passengers can be accommodated onboard with the vessel providing a modern spacious passenger area. With a 45min crossing time, the company said the vessel's design has been optimised to deliver exceptional revenue carrying capabilities for Pentland Ferries when compared against other vessels operating within the Scottish ferry market. The catamaran's excellent fuel efficiency (per tonne of cargo carried) will also provide Pentland Ferries with an overall reduction in emissions, they say.

Pentland Ferries said that increased popularity on the Scottish mainland route has enabled this significant investment in a modern catamaran with FBMA Marine. Speaking at the contract signature owner of Pentland Ferries, Mr. Andrew Banks, said 'This investment will allow Pentland Ferries to significantly increase the quality and value for money that we are already offering to the local community and visitors to Orkney'. Andrew added that he was expecting the increase in daily sailings will play its part in attracting new tourists and visitors to Orkney.

FBMA Marine said that "this important contract also underlines FBMA Marine's excellent reputation in supplying cost effective aluminum and steel ferries to the world market".

Speaking at the contract signature, Craig Patrick from FBMA Marine said "This project represents a significant step forward for ferry operations in Scotland. The use of efficiently designed catamarans is long overdue as a solution to best serve the ferry dependent communities of Scotland. FBMA Marine values the importance of this contract and is extremely proud to be building this pioneering vessel for Pentland Ferries and for Orkney."

The vessel is designed by the naval architects company Sea Transport Solutions in Australia who have developed the design to meet the route requirements in Scotland. Construction will commence within weeks of signature and delivery will be in 2008 for the start of the new summer timetable.

Currently the route is served by the PENTALINA B, originally built at Troon, Ayrshire for David MacBrayne Ltd (later to become Caledonian MacBrayne) in 1970 as the IONA and the CLAYMORE, another ex Calmac vessel built in 1978. The PENTALINA B, due to class restrictions, is deployed during the summer months on the route whilst in winter it is served by CLAYMORE.

It is not known as yet what will happen to the two vessels when the new catamaran arrives, but observers point out that the PENTALINA B is approaching the end of her useful career.