by BILL HEANEY
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the Highlands and Islands Morven-May MacCallum has accused the SNP of letting CalMac’s ferry fleet “fall into disrepair” as she revealed that at least EIGHT vessels of the CalMac fleet are currently running with obsolete systems.
This includes equipment that can no longer be properly maintained or lacks available spare parts.
A Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information request to CalMac Ferries asked for records of obsolete equipment across their fleet.
CalMac Ferries Ltd admitted it does not maintain a definitive fleet-wide register of obsolete or obsolescent equipment. However, they do hold information identifying certain equipment and systems with confirmed obsolescence risks.
The obsolescence records show that across the CalMac fleet:
- There are at least 8 vessels that are currently operating with obsolete systems.
- At least 10 vessels are operating with systems recorded as an obsolescence risk.
- 30 systems are recorded as obsolete.
- 63 systems are recorded as an obsolescence risk.
Among the equipment identified are main engines, steering gears, stabilisers, and turbochargers. The records show that the Lord of the Isles, Isle of Mull, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Arran, and Caledonian Isles have main engines classed as obsolete with limited manufacturer support.
The Isle of Arran and Isle of Mull are also running with obsolete main engine turbochargers, with records stating that orders for replacements can only be placed up until the end of 2026.
In 2018, the Scottish Government launched a Resilience Fund aimed at tackling obsolescence on vessels. Transport Scotland said that these obsolete systems risk taking ferries out of service for extended periods of time.
Morven-May MacCallum MSP, RIGHT, said: “The ageing CalMac fleet is limping towards yet another crisis because the SNP Government have failed to properly renew it.
“The Scottish Government has shown it cannot be trusted with this essential transport infrastructure. For the past 20 years the SNP have let the fleet fall into disrepair, whilst coastal and island communities have paid the price.
“For too long islanders and coastal communities have been let down by delays and cancellations; businesses and local economies that rely on ferry services have been hit hard and left frustrated by an inadequate compensation scheme.
“The ferry chaos we’ve seen is one of the SNP’s own creation. They need to properly compensate those affected, including coastal communities.
“The Scottish Government must also set out a detailed programme for ferry construction and fleet renewal, so the CalMac fleet is never allowed to fall into this condition again.”
A CalMac ferry leaving Oban. Picture by Bill Heaney