TWO CalMac ferries built in Port Glasgow have been identified as the ‘most likely’ to be released from service when new vessels join the fleet.

The Gourock-based operator is awaiting the delivery of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa from the Port Glasgow shipyard, with a further four currently being built in Turkey.

CalMac told the Stornoway Gazette it had carried out an initial assessment of vessel deployment at the stage where it will have received the six new ferries.

This identified the 30-year-old MV Isle of Lewis and MV Isle of Mull as being the top candidates for disposal.

MV Isle of Lewis was launched from Ferguson's Shipbuilders in 1995 and originally served on the Ullapool-Stornoway route.

She was moved on to the Oban-Castlebay run in 2016.

MV Isle of MullMV Isle of Mull (Image: Tommy Bamford)

MV Isle of Mull, built at the same yard, has been in service since 1988 and was designed to cover the route between Oban and Craignure.

Pauline Blackshaw, CalMac’s director of strategy and change, said: “Vessel disposal is contingent on a number of dependencies, and this initial assessment will remain under review over the next year and is subject to change.

"As we welcome these into the fleet, we are committed to having a resilience vessel to reduce disruption when a major vessel has an issue.”

It was confirmed in August that MV Hebridean Isles will be retired later this year, with the Turkish-built MV Isle of Islay due to take over her route between Kennacraig, Port Ellen and Port Askaig.

A second vessel, MV Loch Indaal, is also expected to join the fleet to operate on the same route in early 2025.

The news comes as Ferguson Marine prepares for the handover of MV Glen Sannox to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, scheduled to take place on September 30.

The Glen Sannox is due to start the latest phase of sea trials on Friday.

The oldest major vessel in the CalMac fleet was also built at the Ferguson's yard (then known as Ferguson-Ailsa) - MV Isle of Arran, which was launched in December 1983 and entered service in April of the following year.