Government rejects calls for ferry system governance overhaul

The Scottish Government has rejected Labour calls to reform the ferry system.

The party led a debate on ferries in Holyrood on Wednesday, calling for a review of the governance of the system.

Currently, west coast routes are operated by CalMac – which is owned by the Scottish Government – while the procurement of ferries for the network is handled by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal), another body owned by ministers.

Speaking in the debate, Labour transport spokeswoman Claire Baker said: “The split between Cmal, CalMac and Transport Scotland is chaotic and confused and it has allowed for the evasion of responsibility for failings.

“It does not provide accountability for the communities that are most reliant on ferry services and most impacted when things go wrong.”

The call comes just days after Cmal announced the preferred bidder to build seven new small ferries for the west coast network is Polish firm Remontowa rather than the Scottish Government-owned Ferguson Marine.

Ministers assessed the possibility of a direct award for the ships, but deemed it too risky due to the potential for the move to end up in the courts.

MSPs backed a Scottish Government amendment to the Labour motion on Wednesday which removed calls for reform – as well as a push to reverse a 10% fare hike – and instead touted CalMac’s 95.8% efficiency rating and that 37% of the ferry fleet will be replaced in the coming years.

The Government amendment was backed by 57 votes to 52 with seven abstentions.

Speaking in Holyrood on Wednesday, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This debate, yes, allows the opposition to attack the Government, but it also provides an opportunity to highlight the significant progress being made by this Government to enhance and improve ferry services in Scotland.

“We recognise that there are currently challenges in the network and I apologise to communities that are impacted by these.

“There are current challenges in the network, but with six new large vessels being delivered, 10 new vessels to be procured in the next 12 months and extensive ports and harbour works supported by £530 million of investment this coming year alone, this Government is working hard to provide resilience, reliability and sustainability for the future that people, businesses and island communities need and deserve.”