Third of CalMac ferry fleet out of service causing 'worsening' disruption

A third of CalMac’s fleet is out of service, causing significant disruption across several routes.

State-owned operator CalMac said “virtually every Scottish island” had been cut off in recent weeks. On Tuesday, it was revealed that ten vessels had been pulled from their routes.

A number of sailings on the Glen Sannox between Troon and the Isle of Arran were cancelled on Tuesday as CalMac struggled with a recurring “technical issue” in the vessel’s engine.

The ferry has been repeatedly taken out of service since its first sailing last January, after having been at the centre of a political furore over how long it took and how much it cost for the vessel and its sister ship, the Glen Rosa, which is yet to carry passengers, to be built.

CalMac CEO Duncan Mackison revealed that he thought the issues were “stabilising”; however, issues on both major and small vessels have caused an “unprecedented scenario”.

“Almost a third of our entire fleet is unavailable for service, creating a set of circumstances where significant disruption on multiple routes served by major and small vessels is unavoidable,” he said.

“Though the situation appeared to be stabilising, emergent issues across major and small vessels means the unprecedented scenario we find ourselves in has worsened.

“Everyone at CalMac is acutely aware of the level of disruption many islands on our network have faced recently, and I apologise for that.

“The full service impact of the current issues is being reviewed, and plans will be shared with island communities tomorrow.”

Major vessels out of service

MV Glen Sannox
MV Lord of the Isles
MV Isle of Arran
MV Isle of Lewis
MV Hebrides
MV Alfred

Small vessels out of service

MV Loch Bhrusda
MV Loch Linnhe
MV Loch Portain
MV Loch Frisa

The worsening disruption comes less than two weeks after CalMac faced another “unprecedented level of challenges” due to a number of major ferries being forced out of service.

The issues follow confirmation that the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa will not be able to dock at Ardrossan Harbour until 2029.

Ministers have said the North Ayrshire town is the long-term home of the service between the mainland and the Isle of Arran, but facilities at Ardrossan Harbour are not equipped to allow the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa, which is due to be delivered later this year, to dock there.

Since it was delivered, the Glen Sannox has used Troon as its mainland base, with the Glen Rosa expected to do the same when it enters service, compounding issues for islanders who rely on services in Ardrossan.