State-owned company CMAL should be scrapped to tackle a ‘blame-shifting culture’ surrounding Scotland’s ferries, a new report by MSPs has said.
Leadership – in the form of long-term strategic-thinking and investment – is needed if ferry services are to reach an acceptable standard, says Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
In a report published today the MSPs also say:
- The Scottish Government should set out what concrete steps it is taking to reduce the average age of its vessels to 15 years.
- The option of concessionary ferry fares for young people should be explored.
- Better information is needed to create trust in the service.
- Ferry design should be standardised to achieve best value and efficiency, both in the construction and operation of the vessels.
- Consideration should be made as to whether routes currently served, or due to be served, by existing major vessels could be better provided by a higher number of smaller vessels.
The report says there has been a ‘pass-the-parcel culture’ in governance structures and suggests the functions of CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) are brought within Transport Scotland to create ‘Ferries Scotland’.
The report says that communities have found the level of churn in the role of Transport Minister unhelpful and that to ensure continuity of service and avoid disruption, given the proximity to the end of the current contract, on this one occasion, the committee supporst a direct award of the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) 3 contract and for an extended period of ten years.
This would be subject to legality and with the condition that the Scottish Government, as the owners of CalMac, ensures that it delivers real improvements for communities as, the report says, ‘evidence suggests the current tripartite arrangement is not working and must be reviewed’.
Speaking as the report was published, committee convener Edward Mountain MSP said: “As our report shows, a frequent change in transport ministers means problems are not being solved.
“Having worked with Fiona Hyslop on this report as deputy convener of the committee, we know she has experience of the issues covered and wish her well in her new role.
“On this occasion, to ensure continuity and avoid disruption we are supportive of a direct award of the ferry contract to CalMac but we stress that this is wholly dependent upon significant service improvements being delivered and a change to the tripartite arrangement.
“We consider a direct award of the next CHFS3 contract to be the least disruptive option given the proximity to the end of the current contract.
“The report we have published today is extensive but overall, we hope it will have a positive impact on the forthcoming Island Connectivity Plan and help pave the way for a ferry service that is future-proofed, compatible with Scotland’s net zero goals and above all, meets the needs of islanders.
“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their opinions, experiences and expertise with us – whether this be via oral or written evidence or during our visits to the islands where communities shared with us their lived experience which must be at the heart of future decision making.”
The full report is available here: EMGARGOED UNTIL 0001 26 JUNE 2023 A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland
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