Question reference: S6W-01277
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 7 July 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 22 July 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00001 by Graeme Dey on 26 May 2021, whether it will provide an update on Transport Scotland’s discussions to charter additional tonnage to increase resilience across the ferry network.
Answer
Ministers are pleased that following successful berthing trials the MV Arrow has been chartered.
This means more services between Stornoway and Ullapool, as we look to help Lewis and Harris. It will bring additional capacity to this key route during the busy summer period, by allowing CalMac to free up the Loch Seaforth to let more passengers and their vehicles travel. It will also increase freight capacity.
Both Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and CalMac continue to actively search the market for further suitable tonnage, either to charter or purchase.
The Scottish Government 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.