Seòmar agus comataidhean

The seafarers on both MV Helliar and MV Hildasay have worked their usual 6 week on/6 week off rotation since March 2020.

The crew changeover procedures on the MV Arrow whilst on time charter to CalMac Ferries Ltd from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will be arranged by Seatruck Ferries Ltd, the owners of the vessel.

The deployment of crew on the MV Arrow during the time charter between CalMac Ferries Ltd and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, is the responsibility of the vessel owner Seatruck Ferries Ltd.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01104 on
‎ 13 July 2021 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/ormain.aspx

The Scottish Government are in contact with Ferguson Marine and CMAL on a regular basis regarding the delivery timetable and completion dates for MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802.

Tim Hair, Turnaround Director of Ferguson Marine, updated the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on the delivery timetable and budget for vessels MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802 in March 2021 as requested by the committee in their report on ferry procurement. The latest quarterly update on progress, was submitted to the newly formed Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 24 June 2021.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35362 on‎ 11 March 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government is committed to maintaining and improving the reliability of lifeline ferry services that play a key role in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of island and remote communities - including the Arran service.

We continue to invest in the reliability of vessels in Clyde and Hebrides network through the Resilience Fund which was established in 2008 to improve the future reliability and availability of vessels, including both vessels operating on the Ardrossan to Brodick route and for ensuring the resilience of the Lochranza service.

It is extremely disappointing that Pentland Ferries has taken a business decision not to make the MV Pentalina available for charter. However, the Scottish Government will continue to work with CalMac and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to actively explore opportunities for chartering alternative additional tonnage for the Clyde and Hebrides network.

CalMac invests significantly in vessel maintenance. Each vessel is taken out of service annually to undergo an established programme of inspection and maintenance activities. This includes planned maintenance, preventative maintenance, repair and certification renewal to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the service.

The annual cost of maintenance and repairs by CalMac Ferries Limited on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services fleet since 2010 is detailed in the following table:

The figures are given as a fleet value rather than per vessel to retain commercial confidentiality of CalMac Ferries Limited.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, published 4 February 2021, and projects, working with CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Marine Assets Ltd, we aim to replace ferries by the end of their normal working life.

The Scottish Government stepped in to take ownership, to ensure a viable future for the yard, its workforce and completion of the much needed vessels. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the yard to explore all possible options to ensure a viable future for the business.

The Scottish Government are in contact with Ferguson Marine on a regular basis. The Ferguson Marine Board of Directors visited the yard on 3 June to discuss the Turnaround Directors update to the Scottish Parliament. The Board subsequently signed off the revised schedule in early June and this information was then shared with the Scottish Government.