CalMac to re-draw winter plans as key ailing ferry out up to four more months

Scotland’s west coast ferry operator has been forced to re-draw its winter plans after a ferry which has not sailed since January of last year could be out for four more months.

The Caledonian Isles was forced out of action 18 months ago, leaving the route between Ardrossan in Ayrshire and Brodick on the Isle of Arran without a ferry.

The newly-minted Glen Sannox – delivered vastly over budget and years late by the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow – is unable to dock at the Ayrshire port due to being too big.

The Caledonian Isles was initially taken out of service for substantial work in January 2024, with costs expected to be around £5 million.

However, a hull deformity was discovered after repairs at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Merseyside, which has had a knock-on effect on the ferry’s return to service and prompted CalMac to seek to recover some of the almost £11 million in costs.

But on Tuesday, the operator said the vessel would return to dry dock for further repairs which will likely take between eight weeks and four months, prompting a re-think of the winter timetable.

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said: “Based on the current prognosis, we could be in a situation where MV Caledonian Isles returns in September in a best-case scenario or November in a worst-case scenario.

“However, we intend to publish winter timetables soon and aim to give communities and customers certainty about service levels and vessel deployment during that period.

“This is a complex process as we need to develop this plan whilst factoring in an annual overhaul schedule that will see a fleet, which is another year older, spend a record of number of days in planned maintenance.

“The return of MV Caledonian Isles, and the expected arrival of MV Isle of Islay, will provide relief and resilience.”

The Isle of Islay is due to enter service later this year, after having recently completed its second set of sea trials successfully at the shipyard in Turkey where it is being built.