"Betrayal of island communities" as 2023 set to be worst year for ferry cancellations
The Scottish Conservatives are calling for better investment in the CalMac fleet
The Scottish Conservatives are warning 2023 could turn out to be the worst year on record for CalMac ferry cancellations for technical failures.
The party have described it as “a betrayal of island communities” as figures show there were 1,689 cancelled sailings for technical faults between January 1 and May 16 this year.
In 2022, the total number was 1,830, just 141 more than the six month figure from 2023, which has led the party to speculate the total for the last 12 months could be the highest on record.
More than 11,000 sailings were cancelled in 2022 for technical reasons, weather, or unspecified reasons, according to the Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Scottish Conservative transport spokesperson Graham Simpson MSP said: “This SNP Government's abject failure to maintain and upgrade vital lifeline ferry services has been a betrayal of island communities.
"And that neglect is now coming home to roost, with a fleet that is now, on average, quarter of a century old.
"These ageing vessels are breaking down much more often - there were nearly as many cancellations for technical reasons by May this year as there were in the whole of 2022, which was the second worst year ever.”
He added the average age of vessels had “ballooned” to 24, with a third of the fleet believed to be 30 years old, as two new ferries continue to face delays and budget issues.
The Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa vessels were estimated to cost around £97m, but will now come with a price tag of £360m instead.
It was also revealed they could face a further two month delay, despite the Glen Sannox being due for completion in March 2024, and the Glen Rosa in May 2025.
Mr Simpson continued: “"This SNP Government has been rightly derided over its abysmal failure to commission and produce two new ferries.
"But its record on the basic management of other services has been every bit as bad, with terrible results for local communities, for tourism, and for Scotland's economy."
A Transport Scotland spokesperson responded: "Statistics between October 1, 2022 and May 16, 2023 show of the 98,267 scheduled sailings across the Caledonian and Hebrides Ferry Service network 7,286 were cancelled.
"Of the scheduled sailings, 1,549 were cancelled due to technical issues and 3,541 were cancelled due to weather.
"Scottish Ministers fully recognise that every cancelled sailing can have a significant impact on our island communities. The provision of safe and reliable lifeline ferry services is crucial to delivering the confidence needed to sustain island communities, businesses and populations.
"We continue to work with CalMac and CMAL to bring resilience to the network. The introduction of the MV Loch Frisa and short term charter of MV Arrow are examples of this.
"In addition, the extended charter of the MV Alfred to the CalMac fleet, has been welcomed and is providing much needed resilience during annual overhaul and service disruptions.
"We have also commissioned two new vessels for Islay as well as two new vessels for the Little Minch routes and progressed investment in key ports and harbours."