Since May 2007, the government has allocated additional money year-on-year to support: the rising costs of supporting the network of ferry services: although carryings and therefore revenue have risen, this has not kept pace with the costs of providing services: primarily crewing, fuel, ship charters and harbour dues; the costs of a new contract for the Clyde and Hebrides services, awarded to CalMac Ferries Ltd and which commenced on 1 October 2007 following a procurement process initiated by the previous Administration, and the rising costs of vessels chartered from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) reflecting the long-term transition from a grant-funded...