Appraisal of Lochranza Ferry Terminal for a hybrid-fuel ferry

Asset owners and operators of marine structures and vessels proactively take action to address their contribution to, and the future effects of, climate change. With climate change forecasted to cause global sea level rise, as well as increasing recurrence of extreme weather events: asset owners must reappraise structures for the resultant conditions; vessel operators should seek to reduce their contribution to carbon emissions.

To enable these endeavours to take place, Arch Henderson has collaborated with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to reappraise the pier and slipway at Lochranza, Isle of Arran, Scotland, for the overnight berthing and slipway landing of a new diesel-electric hybrid ferry. This hybrid ferry will replace the current diesel ferry on the increasingly popular Claonaig - Lochranza route, serving both leisure and commercial interests.

The site investigation and subsequent engineering assessment showed the pier arrangement to be insufficient to house the new hybrid ferry. Several concept solutions were appraised, leading to seabed dredging and sponson modification being chosen as the preferred course of action. This paper concerns the methodology, site investigation, engineering assessment, design, construction and commissioning of the pier modifications.