Six-year search fails to find new ferries for struggling Calmac

0 Repairs to the MV Clansman have caused widespread problems on the Calmac network Under-pressure Calmac has been searching in vain for six years for extra ferries to bolster its stretched fleet, the firm has told MSPS.

Managing director Robbie Drummond also “sincerely apologised” for the weeks of disruption caused by a shortage of vessels, which he said had left the firm in an “uncomfortable situation”.

Calmac has been forced to cut sailings and deploy smaller ferries on some west coast routes because of prolonged repairs to the MV Clansman, as it has no spare ships.

Mr Drummond said it had been the company’s worst disruption for eight years, with the Clansman out of action for more than two months.

He told the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee yesterday: “I would like to sincerely apologise to all of our customers for the inconvenience that’s been caused.

“We care deeply about our communities and do understand the economic impact on island residents and businesses, and we are very sorry for the recent disruption.

“Communications have not always been as quick and accurate as we would have liked.

“It’s an uncomfortable situation we do not want to be in.

“We have no relief vessel available to provide cover.”

Mr Drummond said Calmac and its vessels owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) had been looking for additional ferries for six years, and “in depth” for the last two to three years.

However, they had to be suitable for the “challenging” Scottish waters including shallow depths, and also fit harbours.

“We’ve committed to Transport Scotland, along with Cmal, to continue looking for vessels. But as none has emerged in six years that are suitable, there isn’t a high expectation that any will emerge in the next six years.”

Two new ferries are being built at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, but their completion has been delayed from the summer to this winter.

Mr Drummond said Calmac’s ticket and reservation system was also “life expired and needs to be replaced”.

The problems have been compounded by a boom in traffic triggered by fares being cutunderthescottishgovernment’s road equivalent tariff scheme.

Traffic has increased by 37 per cent over the last five years, which Mr Drummond said “had put our services under real stretch”.

However, Scottish Greens transport spokesman John Finnie said: “There needs to be wide scale replacement of the existing Calmac fleet.

“Calmac management claim they are doing their best with restricted resources but it’s not good enough. Our island communities are crying out for more reliable services.”