Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, stated that the new vessels will deliver on the Scottish Government’s goal of a two-vessel service for the Little Minch routes, improving capacity, frequency, and resilience. The government provided £115 million in funding for the project in 2022.
Following her launch, the Lochmor will undergo further outfitting before sea trials. She is scheduled to arrive in Scotland in late 2026 to complete crew familiarisation and local operational testing before entering service. Duncan Mackison, CEO of operator CalMac, noted that the Lochmor is one of 12 new vessels scheduled to join the fleet by 2029.