Scottish Transport MinisterKeith Brown MSP announced on 8 June 2012 there was to be a replacement vessel for the Stornoway-Ullapool route. Two weeks later on 22 June, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited announced that the contract to construct had been signed with Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft MBH and Co KG in Germany. Construction commenced on 16 September 2013 with the cutting of the first steel. The shed at the Flensburger shipyard suffered damage in the St. Jude storm, delaying delivery by about two weeks. The building of the ferry was financed by the Lloyds Banking Group who then leased Loch Seaforth to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd who in turn chartered her to the operator, CalMac. Ownership remained with Lloyds until 10 October 2019, when CMAL purchased Loch Seaforth outright, ending the lease after almost five years. The name was chosen in a competition run by CMAL, reviving that of MacBrayne's 1947 Stornoway mailboat. Before launch, there was speculation over the timetables for the new vessel. Despite being capable of 24-hour operation, there were concerns that she would not carry out 24-hour sailings in summer. Loch Seaforth was launched on 21 March 2014 and christened by Joan Murray, the eldest daughter of the late Captain John Smith, master of the original 1947 mailboat. She departed Germany on her delivery voyage on 4 November 2014 and arrived in Greenock three days later. After sea trials, she was laid up as the piers at Stornoway and Ullapool were unfinished. Loch Seaforth sailed to Ullapool on 12 November 2014, to conduct berthing trials, which were successful and returned to the Clyde. On 6 December 2014, she sailed to carry out crew familiarisation tests at Stornoway, despite the terminal not being ready to accommodate her. Once again, she returned to the Clyde. Loch Seaforth undertook berthing trials at the new pier at Stornoway on 4 February 2015. Her first commercial sailing was the overnight freight sailing on 10/11 February. An open day for public viewing was held in Stornoway on 13 February, and she gave her first passenger crossing of the Minch the following day. She entered public service on 16 February, initially on a 'phasing-in' basis, but full-time, effectively relieving Isle of Lewis, which was delayed in leaving drydock in Birkenhead during her annual overhaul. On 5 March, Loch Seaforth developed a ventilation fan problem at Ullapool, leaving the Isle of Lewis to take passengers and their vehicles to Stornoway, putting her new backup status to the test. The Ullapool port reopened in May 2015 with a new linkspan. Loch Seaforth was finally able to take up her full round-the-clock schedule between Stornoway and Ullapool. Chartered freight vessel, left Stornoway for Heysham after staying in reserve for any teething troubles. remained as a backup vessel on the route until the summer of 2015, undertaking extra sailings on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer of 2015 to cope with demand.
Layout
MV Loch Seaforth is of ro-ro design with bow and stern ramps. She has "clam shell" bow doors that open sideways. The car deck provides 376 lane-metres and is partially open at the stern. Car capacity is augmented by two hoistable mezzanine decks. Five stairways and two passenger lifts give access to the main passenger accommodation on Deck 5. This includes a Quiet Lounge, a shop, a Coffee Cabin, a play area and a gaming area. Towards the bow is a cafeteria, with an observation lounge looking forwards, on the deck above. There is outside seating towards the stern on decks 6 and 7. The combination of diesel electrical and diesel mechanical propulsion give a high level of redundancy. The two Wärtsilä 8L 32 main engines can use IFO 40 and MDO fuel oils. Three backup diesel generators would allow her to operate to timetable even with one main engine out of service.
Service
MV Loch Seaforth is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Stornoway to Ullapool route. She provides passenger sailings through the day and an overnight freight service. From 29 October to 12 November 2015, Loch Seaforth was relieved by and the NorthLink vessel.
