Seòmar agus comataidhean

Since becoming Minister for Transport, I have prioritised issues on our ferry networks. I have met with senior CalMac representatives to provide support and with local MSPs (25 May) to hear their concerns. I have agreed to continue with regular dialogue given the importance of the issue.

Following these discussions and in light of the recent issues with the MV Loch Seaforth, funding has now been agreed which will allow officials to work with CalMac Ferries Ltd to implement the process of chartering the MV Pentalina. Berthing trials are happening this week to assess the suitability of the vessel across the network.

In relation to the issue with the MV Hebridean Isles, I understand all goods were shipped early Saturday morning and the remainder later that afternoon (29 May 2021) on the MV Isle of Lewis.

Collective bargaining agreements are a matter for the relevant employer and employees. The employer in each case would depend on the type of charter entered into. If a vessel is chartered on a ‘bare boat’ basis and crewed by CalMac staff then existing contract arrangement regarding collective bargaining arrangements would apply. If a time charter on a temporary basis is progressed, for example the MV Pentalina, then the employer of the crew would not be CalMac and different arrangements would apply.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00322 on 16 June 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 cause of the breakdown remains subject to ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation is complete.

The timetable impact of the breakdown of the MV Loch Seaforth is summarised below:

The MV Loch Seaforth was removed from service on 14 April and other vessels were redeployed to ensure continuity of service across the network.

CalMac were unable to charter any suitable vessels at short notice, meaning re-deployment of a vessel from within the current fleet was required. The MV Isle of Lewis was redeployed from Castlebay-Oban to cover daytime Stornoway-Ullapool sailings, and the MV Isle of Arran redeployed from Ardrossan-Brodick to cover the overnight freight service. The MV Lord of the Isles provided a combined Castlebay-Oban-Lochboisdale-Mallaig service. The MV Isle of Arran subsequently incurred a technical issue and was swapped with the MV Hebridean Isles on the Kennacraig-Islay service, maintaining Islay’s two vessel service and a dedicated freight service for Ullapool-Stornoway, with the Ardrossan-Brodick service reduced to a single vessel service and delayed the start of the summer only Ardossan-Campbeltown service which shares a vessel with Ardrossan-Brodick. Some additional capacity for Arran was provided by deploying a second vessel, MV Loch Linnhe, to the Lochranza-Claonaig service. These changes resulted in revised timetabling for the affected routes. CalMac operated additional sailings where possible, however this was restricted by crew hours and availability.

MV Loch Seaforth resumed full service on Stornoway-Ullapool on the evening of 31 May. All services were back to normal with their usual vessel deployment on 3 June.

We are aware of the significant impact on communities and businesses throughout this unacceptable period of service. This includes impacts on island producers, tourism and haulage businesses across the network. As I have stated to Parliament, we are looking at all options to provide greater resilience to minimise disruption during any future prolonged periods of disruption – as well as ensuring any lessons are learned that prevent further breakdowns where these could be avoided.

Transport Scotland (TS) and the Scottish Government Islands Team meet regularly with elected members and officers of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss a range of ferries issues including future planning and have also engaged on the Comhairle's Local Transport Strategy. The Comhairle were also a partner in a recent study, commissioned and funded by TS, of future options for ferry services to, from and within the Outer Hebrides. The Comhairle has produced a paper setting out proposals for ferry service improvements and future vessel investments and an initial meeting to discuss this with government officials has been arranged.

It is too early to say where future vessels to replace the current CalMac fleet will be built. These replacement programmes will follow national procurement rules; ensuring quality, value for money and the timely delivery of vessels to serve our island communities.

On 8 June 2021 I announced that the process to build a new ferry for Islay was formally under way. The Scottish Government look forward to continuing to work with key stakeholders to develop programmes for major vessels and small vessels – investing at least £580m in our ferry networks over the next five years.

A public consultation into the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) will begin this Autumn. The consultation was postponed due to the pandemic and will cover views on potentially introducing Scotland wide restrictions on the advertising, promotion, brandsharing and sponsorship of these products.

It was Transport Scotland’s intention to publish the Emergency Measures Agreements 1 (March – September 2020) performance and management fee values for (a) Abellio ScotRail and (b) Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd in April 2021.

However, due to the pre-election period this was not possible and Transport Scotland now intend to publish this information in due course upon completion of an appropriate diligence process to establish the correct contractual amounts.

Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with their counterparts at Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and CalMac Ferries Ltd to discuss future investment in vessels and harbours for the Clyde and Hebrides network, primarily but not exclusively at a formal bi-monthly programme board. Discussions have produced a forward programme which was summarised for the next five years in Annex D of the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan published 4 February 2021 and is also reflected in the CMAL Business Plan 2021-2024 published 9 April 2021.