MV Caledonian Isles ferry returns to service after 20 months following £12m of repairs

A problem-plagued ferry is set to return to service after 20 months and almost £12m worth of repairs.

The MV Caledonian Isles will carry her first passengers since January 2024 from Ardrossan at 5pm on Wednesday evening.

“Today will mark the start of a phased return to service, allowing crew and port staff at Ardrossan to re-familiarise themselves with passenger operations,” a CalMac spokesperson said.

“When she returns to full service, she’ll greatly enhance Arran’s capacity.”

The vessel has been out of operation since last January and it has faced a suite of issues that delayed its return, including gearbox problems and a pressure issue with its propulsion system.

In total, CalMac said the estimated cost of the repairs are £11.6m, which includes direct yard costs and third party supplier costs.

MV Caledonian Isles is one of the largest in the CalMac fleet, and it has served the community of Arran for almost 30 years.

It usually operates on the route between Ardrossan in North Ayrshire and Brodick, which is one of Scotland’s busiest island routes.

Its absence over the past year has meant all sailings have had to depart from Troon, South Ayrshire, sparking anger and frustration from both locals and islanders, who are still campaigning to keep Ardrossan as the main port for Arran.

The CalMac spokesperson said: “We’re excited that MV Caledonian Isles is ready to return to service, and that excitement is shared by the crew who have really missed serving customers going to and from Arran.”

Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services brought under ‘full public control’

The Arran ferry has relaunched on the same day that a new Transport Scotland and CalMac agreement comes into force, bringing the operation of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services under full public control.

Transport Scotland said the new arrangements from Wednesday mark a “key milestone” in the delivery of ferry services for Scotland’s island and rural communities.

It will see almost £4bn of public funding invested in the Clyde and Hebrides service over the next ten years.

Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new contract will enable the Government to deliver “significant” investment in new vessels, increased services on the Sound of Barra and services on the secondary Arran route across this winter.

“The new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services arrangements fundamentally change the ethos of the services from a commercial arrangement to a model fully focused on delivering a public service for Scotland’s island and rural communities,” she said.

“This Government is fully committed to ensuring lifeline ferry services are delivered efficiently and with best value for island and rural communities. I look forward to continued engagement with island residents, businesses and communities, CalMac staff and trade unions on these new arrangements.

Councillor Uisdean Robertson, chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s transportation and infrastructure committee “cautiously welcomed” the agreement.

“Our communities have experienced detrimental disruption and uncertainty under the last ferry contract,” he said.

“While the move to public service delivery is positive, communities that have waited a long time for basic service improvements, will need more than a change of operational direction to convince them that their situation will improve.

“We need stronger accountability, real transparency on costs and performance, and genuine involvement of communities in decision-making.

“This contract gives CalMac an opportunity to deliver the service improvements that our communities desperately need. Island voices must be more clearly present at every level of decision making in the future and this will be the mark of a genuine shift in delivery and accountability.”