CalMac seeks to recover costs for Caledonian Isles repairs

Scotland’s publicly-owned ferry operator is seeking to recover the cost of repairs to a key vessel which has been out of action for 18 months.

The Caledonian Isles was taken out of service in January of last year for substantial work which was estimated to cost £5 million, with its return to the route between Ardrossan, North Ayrshire and Brodick on the Isle of Arran expected last June.

But its return has been considerably delayed, with CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison saying last month it is “impossible to say” when it will return.

A hull deformity was discovered after repairs were done by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead near Liverpool, which has had a knock-on effect which has prompted CalMac to begin proceedings to recover at least some of the money spent.

In a statement, a spokesman for the operator said: “Following an investigation into the cause of the hull deformity, action is under way to recover costs.

“As this is commercially sensitive and subject to legal proceedings, we cannot comment further.”

The long-running saga of the Caledonian Isles is yet another issue which has hit transport to Scotland’s west coast islands in recent years, along with the major delays and cost overruns to two ferries being built at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow.

The Glen Sannox entered service in January, while the Glen Rosa is not expected until next year, with projected costs rising from £97 million when the contract was signed to more than £400 million.

The loss of the Caledonian Isles has also meant there have been no sailings from Ardrossan in months.

While the MV Isle of Arran has been re-shuffled to take over the route from Monday for the next two weeks, both the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa are too big for the port in the North Ayrshire town and as such have been sailing from Troon, further down the coast.

Locals fear the impact of losing the ferry service on the local economy, while islanders on Arran have also expressed concerns.

The Scottish Government has said it is looking at buying the port from operator Peel Ports to make necessary upgrades to allow the ferries to dock there, but talks are said to have stalled.