Chamber and committees

Scottish Government submission of 18 October 2021

PE1853/D: Introduce a lifeline ferry service from Campbeltown to Ardrossan

I note the discussion at the Committee’s meeting of 1 September 2021 and thank the Committee for their further correspondence, to which I have provided responses below.

The Committee is keen to understand whether it is possible to use a non-Calmac fleet vessel to provide a year-round service from Campbeltown and Ardrossan.

The Campbeltown to Ardrossan ferry service is provided through the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract, procured by Transport Scotland and currently operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). Vessels owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) are made available to the operator of the CHFS contract to deliver the services.

Given the challenges with the aging ferry fleet across the network, and the lead in times to construct new vessels, CMAL employ a number of shipbrokers and engage with CFL to continuously monitor the second hand vessel market and consider any viable opportunities to bring additional vessels into the fleet.  In 2020 CMAL assessed 99 vessels for possible suitability to operate on Scottish Government ferry routes.  Unfortunately second hand vessels that are suitable for Scottish ferry routes are rare, however the recently announced purchase of the MV Utne demonstrates our commitment to pursue such opportunities where they arise.  CMAL and CFL will continue to search the second hand market for any potential opportunities to add to the fleet.

Construction of the MV Glen Sannox continues at Ferguson Marine, and as communicated by the yard to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 30 September 2021, delivery remains in the range 25 July 2022 to 25 September 2022.  The Ferries Plan (2013-22) noted that the new vessel will provide the opportunity to provide a year round Campbeltown service, subject to a robust business case being made and the availability of funding.

Regarding the process itself, the Committee would be grateful if you could share any information on the process for evaluating any subsequent business case brought forward to deliver this service if it becomes available at a later stage.

We are committed to preparing the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) as the successor to the Ferries Plan 2013-22. The ICP will be published by the end of December 2022. This will include objectives based on supporting delivery of the National Transport Strategy and the National Islands Plan, and develop proposals to meet those objectives which represent value for money. The ICP will be closely linked to the outcomes of the Strategic Transport Projects Review, in order to consider island and peninsula connectivity more broadly, having regard to aviation, ferries and fixed links, and to connecting and onward travel.

Determining the long-term future ferry service requirements for Campbeltown will involve undertaking a Community Needs Assessment, in consultation with communities and other stakeholders, during 2022 for all CHFS and Northern Isles routes as part of the ICP and will take into account road and aviation options where these are available.