Cal Mac considers chartering ships

Cal Mac is looking at chartering ships to try and plug the shortage of ferries affecting west coast islands.

The Lochboisdale - Mallaig service has not operated for many weeks.

An alternative timetable to Oban will be disrupted on weekends until the beginning of June with traffic being diverted via Barra and Eriskay.

The impact also affects Barra with changes to the MV Isle of Lewis’s schedule on Saturday and Sundays.

Meanwhile, the MV Hebrides’ passenger safety certificate has run out. The vessel is only allowed to go to sea with special permission from the MCA. The dispensation - the second within weeks - expires at the end of May.

Cal Mac’s problems kicked off with the MV Isle of Arran and the MV Hebridean Isles at the tail end of the winter timetable.

Issues were significantly compounded when the MV Clansman was discovered to to have damaged her propeller and rudder.

The vessel is stuck in drydock undergoing repairs, leaving Cal mac with a depleted fleet during the start fo the busy summer season.

Transport minister Humza Yousa said Cal Mac is looking to the open market to “see where we can

charter additional tonnage.”

However, that raises problems of as it “comes at a cost, and the vessels have to fit into the ports and harbours.

He added: “As a short-term solution to some of the issues that are being faced on the Clyde and Hebrides network, I have asked CalMac to look at what additional sailings can be put on in order to mitigate some of the disruption that we have seen.

However, his suggestion appears aimed at the Inner Hebrides where the withdrawal of the South Uist ferry on weekends seems to be to supplement services to the Inner Hebrides.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “While current issues are an operational matter for CalMac, we understand the frustration of the communities which rely on their ferry services.

“As always in situations like this, CalMac will explore all options available to them.

“This includes short-term leasing, but availability of suitable vessels is limited and there are costs involved.

“The minister has also asked CalMac to look at additional sailings to deal with the immediate pressures on the network.

Cal Mac considers chartering ships to strengthen fleet

29 April 2018