Therefore, their decisions are linked to their financial and business performance."iiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 June 2022, Col 10 As noted above, it was argued that the lack of commercial incentive by the operator in the Scottish system led to poor decisions on vessel specification.iiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 June 2022, Col 10 and 16
The role of the operator in vessel specification in Scotland was highlighted as important but the process for their involvement was not clear.iiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 31 January 2023, Col 3 and 8 The Mull and Iona Ferry Committee and the Arran Ferry Action Group were agreed Government should set strategic direction and operators should respond to that with plans fully cognisant of community need.iiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 June 2022, Col 16 and 17 CMALiiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 28 February 2023, Col 22 and NorthLinkiiNet Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Official Report, 21 February 2023, Col 30 highlighted the close collaboration between the operators and CMAL on vessel design.