The SNP’s “abject failure” to deliver a reliable ferry network is laid bare in new figures showing that 2023 is set to be by far the worst year ever for CalMac cancellations caused by technical failures.
Stats obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, via a Freedom of Information request, reveal that there were 1,689 such cancellations between January 1 and May 16 this year.
That compares to 1,830 technical-fault call-offs in the whole of 2022 – which, in itself, represented a whopping 843-per-cent rise on 2010.
When it comes to total ferry cancellations, including weather-related ones, 2022 was the worst year so far, with 11,301 cancellations.
But 2023 is on course to be even worse, with 12,360 in total, if the figures to mid-May were replicated pro rata for the remainder of the year.
Tellingly, that tally would include a mammoth 4,533 cancellations due to technical failings, well over double the total for 2022.
Under the SNP the average age of Scotland’s ferries has ballooned to 24 years old – in large part due to the two vessels being built by the nationalised Ferguson Marine yard being six years late.
Graham Simpson, the Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister, described this as a “betrayal of island communities” and condemned the SNP’s years of failure to come to grips with this issue.
He insists the SNP are running Scotland’s ferry services into the ground, unwilling and unable to properly procure the ferries that are such a critical link for islanders.
Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP said: “This SNP government’s abject failure to maintain and upgrade vital lifeline ferry services has been a betrayal of island communities.
“And that neglect is now coming home to roost, with a fleet that is now, on average, quarter of a century old.
“These ageing vessels are breaking down much more often – there were nearly as many cancellations for technical reasons by May this year as there were in the whole of 2022, which was the second worst year ever.
“This SNP government has been rightly derided over its abysmal failure to commission and produce two new ferries. But its record on the basic management of other services has been every bit as bad, with terrible results for local communities, for tourism, and for Scotland’s economy.”
Notes
For all these points, the record is from 1 January 2010.
If CalMac ferry cancellations continue in 2023 at the same rate as they had up to the 16 May, 2023 will be the worst year on record for both total cancellations and for cancellations for technical issues. By 16 May 2023, 4,606 ferry sailings had been cancelled, 1689 due to technical issues. The 16th of May is the 136th day of the year. If cancellations continued at the same rate throughout the year, we would expect 12,360 cancellations in 2023 in total, which would be a new record. We would also expect 4,533 of these cancellations to be for technical (as opposed to weather-related or ‘other’ reasons). This would be more than double the previous record of 1,929 in 2016. (CalMac FOI Response, 23 November 2023, available upon request).
2022 saw the highest number of ferry service cancellations on record. In 2022, 11,301 ferry sailings were cancelled by CalMac. This is higher than any other year on record, and represents a 595.73% increase on annual cancellation levels since 2010. (CalMac FOI Response, 23 November 2023, available upon request).
2022 saw the second highest number of ferry service cancellations due to technical fault on record. In 2022, 1,830 ferry sailings were cancelled due to a technical fault. This is higher than any other year on record bar 2016. (CalMac FOI Response, 23 November 2023, available upon request).
From 2010 to 2022, annual ferry sailing cancellations due to technical difficulties increased by 843%. In 2010, 217 sailings were cancelled due to technical problems. In 2022, this number was 1830. 1830/217 x 100% = 843.32%. (CalMac FOI Response, 23 November 2023, available upon request).
CalMac’s fleet, which is leased from CMEL, has aged significantly since the SNP came to power in Holyrood. The average age of a CalMac vessel is now at least 24 years old. 38% of their fleet is over 30 years old. (BBC, 17 January 2023, link).