MORE than 40,000 ferry sailings across Scotland's west coast have been cancelled since 2018, ministers have admitted.

The information was revealed in an answer to a parliamentary question tabled by West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene.

Mr Greene said the figures showed that “chronic under-investment” had “clearly impacted CalMac’s ability to run a robust and resilient service”. 

His question was posed amid growing concern at the ageing ferry fleet operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service network, and the resulting impact on the reliability of services.

Mr Greene specifically asked for data on cancellations caused by mechanical, technical or structural issues, but the government's response included weather-related cancellations too.

The government's figures cover five separate 'contract years' (CYs), beginning in October 2018 - referred to as 'CY03' - and running until April 2023, halfway through CY07.

More than 6,000 cancellations were blamed on those technical issues, with almost 25,000 put down to bad weather.

CalMac said the remaining cancellations were to caused by ferries being called to cover other parts of the network and as a result of the Covid pandemic. 

Among the problems currently facing CalMac is the delay in the return of the 30-year-old main Arran ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, from its annual overhaul - and the capacity issues caused by the use of the much smaller 40-year-old MV Isle of Arran as the relief ferry.

Mr Greene's question read: “To ask the Scottish Government how many CalMac sailings have been cancelled because of mechanical, technical, or structural issues with vessels in each of the last five years, broken down by vessel.”

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop responded to Jamie Greene’s question last Friday.

She said: “CalMac Ferries Limited are unable to provide the information requested as the data is not held in this format.

"In each of the last five years during CY03–CY07 the total number of cancellations amounted to 40,130.

"Of this number 6,302 were due to technical issues and 24,789 were due to weather.

"As answered in S6W-24402, on January 19, 2024, information from May 2023 will be available in the future, once CalMac Ferries Ltd have completed their audit and validation of this data.”

The figures come as Ardrossan is experiencing a severe challenge to its status as the base for the main Arran ferry, with the terminal's Irish berth out of action, apparently for good, and uncertainty hanging over the major upgrade that is required to enable the route's two new ferries - MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa - to use the North Ayrshire terminal.

The two new ships will have to use Troon as their mainland port until - or unless - the Ardrossan upgrade is completed, though the revamp plans have been on hold since last summer after the government ordered a review in the face of rising costs.

Mr Greene said: “Few people will be surprised to hear that a huge number of ferry journeys are being cancelled every year. They know that better than anyone.

“But to see it in such stark terms will be a depressing reminder to islanders that the network is buckling under the strain of SNP underinvestment and incompetence. 

“CalMac are doing what they can to keep ferries running, but they face a near impossible task due to the utter lack of support and investment from the Scottish Government.”

“The Scottish Government must set out how they plan to improve this woeful record.”

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “During periods of disruption CalMac remain in contact with communities and hauliers.

"Additional sailings are reintroduced where possible to take advantage of suitable weather windows and steps are always taken to prioritise supplies and lifeline services.

"A decision on whether to sail is at the discretion of the master of the vessel, based upon their professional judgement.

"Neither CalMac nor Scottish ministers can compel a master to sail if they have determined that it is unsafe to do so.

"The safety of customers and seafaring crew must come first.”

A spokesperson for CalMac said: "The main reason why sailings are cancelled are due to poor weather, which can happen at any time in the year in the challenging waters off the west coast of Scotland.

“Regarding cancellations for reasons other than weather or for technical problems, more than 40 per cent of these were Scottish Government approved and involved vessels being moved around the network so that lifeline services could be preserved.

"More than a third were directly related to the global Covid pandemic, while the rest included pier work being carried out by harbour authorities, and berths not being available.

“The six major and 10 small new vessels coming over the next few years are very much welcome; however, we face a difficult period as we wait in anticipation for them to be fully operational on the network.

"In the meantime, we will continue to work in partnership with local stakeholders and communities to ensure the best possible outcomes for all who rely on our services.”