Discussions regarding chartering a ship to boost CalMac’s ageing fleet are progressing well.
The west coast shipping operator wants to hire MV Pentalina as it faces busy summer period.
The need is more pressing than ever with breakdowns and technical problems becoming a regular feature for hundreds of passengers.
CalMac is currently deprived of three major ships -
Traveller numbers are set to dramatically swell from Easter and Scottish schools break up for the holidays on 31 March which seems a favourable time as any to introduce the Pentalina into the network.
CalMac may even be making the case for an early charter to help support ferry links in the Western Isles.
Since June CalMac had the benefit of an extra vessel -
She has confounded naysayers and performs well on the route. Recently, the Frisa has been holding the fort on her own, releasing MV Isle of Mull to cover extended stints on Lochboisdale and Castlebay links.
But the Mull is due to return to Craignure at the end of this month when the Frisa heads off for a statutory overhaul, potentially leaving South Uist without a ferry for the first two weeks in March.
If the Pentalina came on board she could operate the Oban -
Following drydock in Greenock, the 70-
Pressure for a January charter eased when the Scottish Government secured the use of MV Arrow as the stand-
CalMac secured agreement for a hire of the vessel in 2021 but Pentland Ferries unexpectedly pulled out at the last minute.
MV Pentalina charter talks progressing well
14 February 2023
