What its response is to concerns of local people on Islay and in particular in Port Ellen that the new Caledonian MacBrayne Islay ferry can…

The new vessel to serve Islay is due for delivery in spring 2011 and is being financed by a £24.5 million loan from the Scottish Government to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. This new vessel was designed to serve Islay''s needs for many years into the future and as such will be longer, wider, more powerful, more manoeuvrable and have greater carrying capacity than either of the vessels that presently serve Islay. These significant changes in dimensions are the reasons why this new vessel cannot fit the existing berthing facilities at Port Ellen that were intended to accommodate smaller vessels.
As owners of the Port Ellen pier, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd is currently developing options for major improvements to the berthing and passenger facilities.
Considerable investment has already been made at Port Askaig and the new vessel will be able to berth there.