A new ferry terminal for lochboisdale

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) unveiled plans for the new £40m Gasay Ferry Terminal in Lochboisdale at two public engagement events in South Uist in June.
The new development will include a larger terminal building and additional car parking, with a dedicated space for staff and crew cars.
In terms of the new pier itself, five alternative designs have been developed, each including a main berth with linkspan, with both finger and nested options being considered.
The events were well attended and generated some lively debate.
Former councillor and Sealladh na Beinne Moire (SnBM) Director Calum MacMillan was disappointed to note that none of the five options provided enough depth for the larger boats required for wind farm servicing.
CMAL’s Head of Engineering, Morvern Bridges, confirmed that the remit of the project was to develop and build the infrastructure required to support Uist’s lifeline ferry service, saying: “If deep water access is deemed necessary, then we can build it, but any additional costs associated with that would not be covered by CMAL.”
Current arrangements will see the infrastructure wholly owned by CMAL, who have committed to a 50 year lease agreement with the community landlord through its subsidiary, Lochboisdale Development Ltd.
Asked about the details of the lease, Stòras Uibhist CEO Darren Taylor said: “The value will depend on which option is chosen, but I can confirm the figure is likely to be in excess of £70,000 per annum.”
In reference to the potential of including the requirements for deep water access, Mr Taylor said: “This presentation was specifically for the proposed CMAL ferry terminal development. We are disappointed that the timetable has slipped and we will continue to work closely with CMAL to ensure this vital project happens as quickly as possible. Meanwhile Lochboisdale Development Limited will continue to investigate the business case for further deep water facilities and all future options are on the table, just not within the scope of this project.”
CMAL’s ownership of the new infrastructure has been condemned by Father Michael MacDonald, a former Vice Chair of Sealladh na Beinne Moire, who raised his concerns in Am Pàipear in February of this year.
Fr Michael was at the public meeting and again shared his frustrations with Am Pàipear: “The pier will not be able to take the deep water vessels that bring opportunities around wind farm servicing for example. And not being owned by the people, any profit it generates will not be adding value here in Uist.”
Fr Michael continued: “What we need is some big strategic thinking. We need to work with confidence and imagination. By no means is it too late to change that now and incorporate the original vision for Lochboisdale Port of Entry set out in the 2006 community buyout. To so feebly surrender that possibility is a grave disappointment.”
The question of ownership was also raised in relation to the operation of the ferry service itself: ‘If we don’t own the terminal, how can we provide for an alternative ferry service when CalMac fails to deliver?’ was a question asked from the floor.
CMAL is encouraging members of the public to submit their own views on pier options and have made their proposals available to view at www.cmassets.co.uk, along with an online survey, which remains open until 14th July.
CMAL is now carrying out further wave modelling and wind measurement activities and will commence vessel simulation exercises once the design has been agreed.
Works are expected to start in early 2025 and CMAL hope to have the terminal in operation by the end of 2026.
An update on the procurement of a new vessel for the Lochboisdale run was also provided, with a statement that the tender process for vessel design had concluded with a new contract expected to be agreed in the Autumn of this year.
CMAL confirmed that there would be further public consultation regarding the new boat’s design, and that they would be evaluating ‘a range of vessel forms, propulsions and fuels’.
The new vessel will replace MV Lord of the Isles, which began service in 1989 and is now nearing the end of its life.