Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP announced on 8 June 2012 there was to be a replacement vessel for the Stornoway-Ullapool route.

[3] Two weeks later on 22 June, Caledonian Maritime Assets announced that the contract to construct had been signed with Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft MBH and Co KG in Germany.

[4] Ownership remained with Lloyds until 10 October 2019, when CMAL purchased Loch Seaforth outright, ending the lease after almost five years.

[8] 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 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.

Chartered freight vessel, MS Clipper Ranger left Stornoway for Heysham after staying in reserve for any teething troubles.

[16] From 19 July 2021, MS Arrow was chartered by Caledonian MacBrayne to carry freight on the Stornoway to Ullapool route, freeing MV Loch Seaforth to make additional passenger crossings.

From 29 October to 12 November 2015, Loch Seaforth was relieved by MV Isle of Lewis and the NorthLink vessel MS Hildasay.

In March 2023, Robert Morrison, CalMac Director of Operations, stated that the timetable set upon Loch Seaforth's entry to service was "ambitious" and "hard to deliver on a good day".