CalMac is considering chartering a large ferry as it struggles to maintain lifeline services amid a dire shortage of ships in its depleted fleet.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has agreed to trial their spare ferry on the Arran route.
MV Ben-My-Chree is due to head north later this week to carry out berthing trials
between Troon-Brodick.
At 125-metres, Ben-My-Chree is thought to be longer than any ship, including hired
vessels, utilised by Caledonian MacBrayne on its west coast routes in the company’s
recent history.
She can take up to 191 cars or 61 trailers. The ship which operates at a service speed of 19 knots can accommodate 500 passengers per sailing.
CalMac interim chief executive Duncan Mackison said: “We are being proactive in identifying options to add resilience and capacity to the network during what will continue to be a challenging winter.
“This vessel is larger than those currently serving Arran and would add capacity to that service whilst freeing up a vessel to move elsewhere.
“This is just a trial, and a full charter will be subject to agreement from multiple parties.
“Should this be reached, we will review and publish a plan on wider vessel deployment.”
CalMac considers charter of Manx ferry, MV Ben-
28 October 2024
