Major Upgrades at Islay Ferry Terminals Signal a Bright Future for Island Connectivity 

Significant progress at Kennacraig and Port Askaig ferry terminals is paving the way for the arrival of two new Islay vessels. These key infrastructure upgrades, led by CMAL, are set to enhance ferry services, promising more resilient and modern connections for the communities of Islay, Jura, and beyond.

Exciting progress is underway for ferry services on the Islay route as major upgrades at the Kennacraig and Port Askaig terminals hit significant milestones. These essential improvements, led by CMAL, are setting the stage for the highly anticipated arrival of the new Islay vessels, MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal.

With the completion of vital infrastructure work and the reopening of key berths, these upgrades mark a crucial step towards a more resilient, modern ferry network for the islands. As the Scottish Government’s ambitious vision for enhanced ferry services comes to life, the local communities of Islay, Jura, and beyond are set to benefit from faster, more reliable connections that promise a brighter future for island travel and commerce.

At Kennacraig, the south berth has been completely transformed, with essential upgrades now finalised. Meanwhile, Port Askaig has also seen a successful completion of vital fendering work, following a brief six-week closure. This progress has allowed ferry services to resume, much to the relief and excitement of the local communities who rely on these crucial connections.

The project, driven by a dedicated team comprising contractors George Leslie Ltd, Napier Bros Engineers, Malin Group, and engineering consultants Mott MacDonald, has installed cutting-edge infrastructure upgrades at both terminals. These improvements are specifically designed to accommodate the incoming Islay vessels, ensuring a seamless transition to the new era of ferry travel.

Work at Kennacraig began in November 2023 with modifications to the fixed ramp on the north berth. In January 2024, the south berth was temporarily closed to undergo a series of significant upgrades, including fender replacement, construction of new piled walls, dredging, and the removal and refurbishment of the linkspan. Throughout this period, all ferry services were efficiently redirected to the north berth, minimising disruption for travellers.

Now, with the refurbished linkspan back in place and the project completed ahead of schedule, ferry services are once again operating from the south berth. Meanwhile, attention has shifted to the north berth, where additional works, including wall construction, fender replacement, ramp re-profiling, and dredging, are set to commence.

Port Askaig has also seen impressive progress since March, with the replacement of fenders, installation of piles, and the creation of concrete foundations for a new mooring aid. Notably, this fendering work was carried out without causing any disruptions to ferry services. However, in June, a six-week closure was necessary to replace the fenders on the roundhead structure. Thanks to meticulous planning and execution, Port Askaig reopened as scheduled on 31 July, with ongoing mooring aid foundation and electrical upgrades continuing seamlessly alongside regular ferry operations.

Ramsay Muirhead, CMAL’s Director of Port Infrastructure, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, emphasising the importance of meticulous planning that allowed the work to be completed ahead of schedule. “With work continuing on the north berth at Kennacraig and on schedule for completion at Port Askaig and Colonsay this autumn, we’d like to thank everyone involved in the delivery of this project, especially the local communities for their patience and cooperation as we strive to enhance port infrastructure ahead of the arrival of the two new Islay vessels.”

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, was pleased with the completion of the upgrades, highlighting their significance in preparing for the new vessels. He noted that these improvements align with the Scottish Government’s broader commitment to modernising ferry services, benefiting communities and businesses on Islay and Jura.

“I used the ferry service on my way to the Islay show and to meet with local businesses on the island, and it was great to see the finished works at the south port at Kennacraig and meet the hard-working harbour staff in person. The completion of these port upgrades marks another important milestone in the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering six new major vessels into service by 2026.

“Communities and businesses on Islay and Jura will be looking forward to a more resilient and modern ferry service, as well as upgraded harbour facilities, with further vessels set to bring similar improvements to other parts of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network in the future.”

Tony Fry, Construction Director at George Leslie, welcomed Minister Fairlie’s visit, using it as an opportunity to demonstrate the project’s progress and the challenges overcome. “Despite the rain, the Minister and Transport Scotland gained valuable insights into the scale of the project and the dedication of our team. Their visit was a welcome opportunity to showcase our progress and highlight the engineering challenges we are overcoming to deliver.”

He acknowledged the need for temporary closures but praised the local community for their understanding and support throughout the construction. “Port Askaig is making excellent headway, with the team successfully balancing engineering demands with the critical need for a ferry service. Although closing the harbour for a short window was necessary to conduct the works, we are grateful for the patience of the local community.”

As these transformative upgrades at Kennacraig and Port Askaig terminals draw closer to completion, the future of ferry travel in the Islay region looks brighter than ever. The seamless collaboration between CMAL, contractors, and local communities has not only achieved significant milestones but has also set a new standard for infrastructure development on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network.

With the eagerly anticipated arrival of the MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal just around the corner, these modernised ports are poised to deliver faster, more reliable, and resilient connections for Islay, Jura, and beyond. This project is a testament to the Scottish Government’s commitment to enhancing island life and commerce, ensuring that the islands remain vibrant and well-connected for years to come.

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