Pictures: World’s first diesel electric hybrid ferry is launched in Glasgow

THE WORLD’S first sea going Roll On Roll Off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferry has been launched in Glasgow.

The new ‘green’ ferries will be operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on some of their shorter routes around the Clyde and Hebrides/ The ferries’ technology will be amongst the most innovative in environmentally-friendly equipment, including battery banks that will supply a minimum of 20 per cent of the energy used on board.

The first of the vessels is likely to enter service some time in late spring 2013, with the second following six months down the line.

The Sconser-Raasay route is believed to be the first crossing to be served by the ferry.

A competition was launched to choose a name for the first ferry, with ‘Hallaig’ - a poem by Sorley Maclean - winning the most votes. It also marks the start of the new Scottish Literary Class, meaning all new ships will be named after Scottish literature.