Ferries for Clyde and Hebrides 'in chaos' as cancellations soar

The Herald Scotland

12-05-2025

In 2015, technical faults only accounted for around one in every ten cancellations – but it is now almost four in ten, according to recent analysis of figures obtained in a Freedom of Information request.
It comes as, for several years now, the SNP has faced heavy criticism for its failure to modernise Scotland's ferry fleet, including the notorious delays to the Ferguson's Marine ferries.
Historically, weather cancellations have been the main cause for journeys on Scotland's ferry fleet not taking place.
However, over the past ten years, this has begun to distribute with the cause due to technical faults becoming more prominent on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
For example, in 2015, 6,822 ferries were cancelled across these routes with 5,510 weather cancellations making up the vast majority of this total (80%) and technical faults only accounting for 10%.
However, in 2024, 12,100 ferries were cancelled across the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service with approximately 6,700 of these (55%) a result of weather, and 4,475 as a result of technical faults (37%).
Scottish Labour has said the SNP's ferry fiasco is causing 'misery' for islanders as cancellations soar.
Rhoda Grant, the party's spokesperson for Rural Affairs and Islands, said: 'The SNP's ferry fiasco is causing misery for Scottish islanders as well as costing taxpayers millions.
'Behind these stark figures are islanders cut off from loved ones, missing NHS appointments and struggling to keep businesses afloat.
'Island communities have been abandoned by this out-of-touch SNP government and lifeline services have been plunged into chaos."
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The MSP who represents the Highlands and Islands added: 'Islanders cannot keep dealing with the consequences of SNP incompetence – a Scottish Labour government will set out a real plan to deliver the reliable, modern lifeline ferry service Scotland needs.'
Scottish Ministers have said they are investing in six new major vessels to serve Scotland's ferry network by 2026, which they say will 'alleviate the need for extensive repairs on older vessels' and improve reliability.
Contracts were also recently signed for a further seven new smaller vessels.
A Scottish Government spokesperson added: 'To improve service in the short term, we have also purchased the MV Loch Frisa and chartered the MV Alfred. We continue to work with operators and CMAL to improve resilience across our networks."
Ferry operator CalMac has said the arrival of 13 new vessels by 2029 will reduce technical issues.
A CalMac spokesperson said: "Between 2015 and 2024 we've operated over 1.5 million sailings, with just 5.2% cancelled.
"Of those cancelled sailings, 22% were for technical reasons whilst almost three times as many were due to the weather at 62%.
"We're delivering services with an ageing fleet and in increasingly challenging weather in winter.
"The arrival of 13 new vessels by 2029, which started with MV Glen Sannox in January this year, will reduce technical issues and these modern vessels should also be able to operate in more challenging weather and sea conditions."
Last week, Ferry operator CalMac was given a direct award of the contract for routes on the west coast, in what the Government has said will create a 'change of ethos' for the service.
It means that rather than a competitive tender process, the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract will go straight to the publicly-owned operator.
While unions have welcomed the move, concerns have been raised about accountability for promises to improve services.
It is the first time a direct award has been granted for the ferries contract and it is expected to last 10 years at a cost of £3.9 billion.
Island communities have long complained of unreliable ferry services and the Scottish Government had pledged to introduce six new major vessels into the network from 2025.
The first of these, the long-awaited Glen Sannox, began carrying passengers in January.
Commenting on the directed award to CalMac, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: 'This direct award fundamentally changes the ethos of the service by shifting from a commercial arrangement to a model more focused on the delivery of a public service engaged on the particular needs of the communities it serves.
'I fully expect the direct award to be a catalyst for positive change across the Clyde and Hebrides network, based on a more efficient, flexible model of delivery that fully reflects community interests.
'Discussions will continue with staff, island residents, businesses and communities and trade unions on the arrangements to ensure the services can best meet local needs and wants.'
Transport Scotland said there would be regular performance reviews in the ferry contract.
Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said: 'This is a tremendous victory not just for our members on CalMac ferries but also for the island communities who are best served by lifeline ferries that are in public ownership.
'The Scottish Government has made the right decision and now the union will work with all stakeholders to ensure that CalMac ferries are affordable, well-resourced and reward seafarers properly for their work going forward.'
Opposition parties said the SNP had failed to invest in the ferry fleet.
Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: 'While this announcement provides continuity, the bottom line is that CalMac will continue to carry the can for the SNP's dire mismanagement of the ferry network.
'Islanders have been betrayed by the SNP time and time again, and any ferry provider is only as good as the fleet it has to work with.'
Liberal Democrat West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said: 'The big concern people have with this direct award is that without a competitive tender process, there is no way to hold the incumbent operator to account on its many promises to improve services.
'The entire network desperately needs new ferries and faces endless disruption due to technical faults and cancellations.
'The SNP rarely ever consult islanders and businesses on what's best for them or what they want, as evidenced by the changes introduced to the Cumbrae route.'