APCL Cammell Laird hosted the official keel-laying ceremony for Western Ferries newest car and passenger ferry, the MV Sound of Scalpay on the 25 November 2025. This milestone marks the formal start of construction on the first of two new vessels commissioned to strengthen the company’s fleet.
APCL Cammell Laird was awarded the contract in May 2025 to build both vehicle and passenger ferries. The second vessel in the programme will be named the MV Sound of Sleat.
This latest contact is a repeat order of the very successful Western Ferries and Cammell Laird design, which produced the MV Sound of Seil and MV Sound of Soay, both of which were constructed at Cammell Laird in 2013. Since their delivery, both ferries have been stalwarts of Western Ferries’ four vessel fleet, contributing to the delivery of around 32,000 annual sailings.
The 50m double ended vessel is designed to carry 40 cars and 220 passengers and will operate on Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon Route.
The 2013 design has been further optimised to minimise fuel consumption and increase the efficiency of operation. Fuel efficiency savings have been achieved principally by the efficient matching of the hull design to the propulsion package, the reduction of permanent ballast installed and selection of low energy consumption machinery, providing both environmental and through-life benefits.
The Cammell Laird design team has also enhanced the original design of the superstructure to improve the aesthetics, with upgrades being made to the heating and ventilation system to improve the passenger and crew experience.
David Mc Ginley, Group Chief Executive Officer of APCL Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Western Ferries’ Board to Cammell Laird today, to celebrate the keel laying ceremony of the latest Western Ferries’ ferry. It is a point of pride that we welcome back Western Ferries as a returning customer and this contract is a significant vote of confidence in our facilities and shipbuilding capabilities. Contracts such as these underpin the ongoing success of APCL Cammell Laird and the wider Group. We look forward to continuing the construction of MV Sound of Scalpay and the MV Sound of Sleat over the coming months.”
