Overview
- Labour, which unveiled the plan Monday in Stornoway, said it would merge operator CalMac with asset owner CMAL into one ferries agency with islanders on its board and a rolling replacement program.
- CalMac reported an “unprecedented” week with eight major vessels taken out of service because of weather and technical faults, disrupting Easter travel for residents and small businesses.
- Freedom of information data show annual cancellations rose from 6,822 in 2015 to 13,647 in 2025, and technical cancellations jumped from 709 to 7,371 over the same period.
- The SNP said it has invested more than £2 billion and pointed to phased maintenance and new ships, and CalMac said six major and seven small vessels are due between 2025 and 2029 as the MV Isle of Islay begins passenger service.
- The Scottish Liberal Democrats called for Parliament to be recalled to tackle the ferry shortages and to fast-track compensation for affected islanders.