CalMac ferries being built in Turkey delayed

Ferries being built for Scotland’s west coast network have been pushed back again due to a labour shortage and weather issues, it has emerged.

A letter sent by Scottish ferry procurer Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) was seen by Islay Community Council last week where officials announced the ship due to serve the island will be delayed by at least three months.

Three other ships – the MV Loch Indaal, MV Lochmor and MV Claymore – are being built alongside the MV Isle of Islay at the Cemre shipyard in Turkey.

In its letter – which was sent to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee – the agency said: “We are closely monitoring progress and working with Cemre to determine when the first vessel will be delivered.

“We are facing serious issues with labour, particularly the availability of specialist commissioning sub-contractors. This continues to set the project and delivery back.

“To put this in context, the shipyard builds the vessel and installs the machinery, but all manufacturers require their own specialists to commission the systems to ensure warranties are secured.

“The lack of commissioning engineers is an issue affecting the global shipbuilding industry and is causing months-long delays in some cases.”

The yard has experienced delays to its dry-docking due to freezing temperatures and snow, meaning the delivery of the Isle of Islay has been moved from the end of the first quarter of this year to at least the end of the second quarter.

The following three vessels are then expected to be delivered in six-month increments, as opposed to the four months promised in the contract, the letter added.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said the announcement was “disappointing” but added that the delay was as a result of “global issues outwith the yard’s control”.

The spokesman said: “Shipyards across the world have been impacted by external supply chain and internal resourcing challenges. Cemre are working actively to outfit, test, trial, survey and complete the vessels as early as possible.

“We continue to make clear our strong expectation to CMAL and CalMac to closely monitor progress on delivery and deployment timescales.

“Following planned sea trials and commissioning work, a clearer indication on delivery, and that of the three sister vessels, will be provided by CMAL.

“The quality of the workmanship and construction of the vessel is fully meeting CMAL expectations, and we look forward to the vessels joining the fleet and serving island communities for years to come.”

Scottish Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said the delay was “yet another blow” for island communities.

“The buck stops with SNP ministers who are responsible for this national scandal. Islanders must wince every time they hear of an update from CMAL or CalMac because it’s always more bad news,” she said.

“This latest delay couldn’t be worse timed, with the summer schedule already scaled back because so many ageing ferries require repairs.

“It defies belief that no SNP minister has resigned or been fired for inflicting this chaos on the country.”

The announcement comes after ferry operator CalMac announced substantial changes to its summer timetable, including the cancellation of the Ardrossan to Campbeltown service.