-
Asked by:
Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged:
2 June 2021
-
Current status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, (b) CalMac Ferries, (c) passenger groups and (d) trade unions regarding the chartering of additional vessels to operate on routes set out in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
Transport Scotland have regular operational discussions with CMAL, CalMac and Serco which include consideration of existing and potential operational capacity. They also engage regularly with passenger groups and trade unions. We are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage, including consideration of the suitability of MV Pentalina to increase resilience across the network. In addition, we have also confirmed new investment of £580 million in ports and vessels to support and improve Scotland’s ferry services over the next five years, as part of our wider infrastructure investment plan.