Ferry sailings could be cut despite brand new vessel 30/12/13
The island of Lewis may end up with a worse ferry service in the busy summer months despite the introduction of a new, bigger and better ship on the route, it is feared.
Extra summer sailings risk being axed, it has emerged, under a proposed timetable for when the £42 million MV Loch Seaforth comes onto the Ullapool route around July next year.
The new 116 metre vessel will replace the present two ferries -
But many travellers cannot get space onboard ferries at present highlights says the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) which wants more sailings, not less.
Nearly every day in July this year saw the Stornoway ferry fully booked, according to an OHTIA survey.
Even with the current additional runs, there were only eight days in July that the ferry was not fully booked.
Until now, four sailings were undertaken at peak periods to handle the huge seasonal hike in tourists travelling on the Ullapool to Lewis crossing.
Now, this looks likely to be cut to just three with the MV Loch Seaforth expected
to carry out two day-
Freight would normally be handled by a third trip on an overnight service.
It means the present additional late night sailings on Wednesdays and Fridays, which are essential to avoid a backlog of traffic building up, could stop even though the service was originally promised to handle a boost in traffic resulting from the cheaper fares through the Scottish Government’s road equivalent tariff scheme.
Doubts over the extra summer schedule emerged from recent discussions over timetabling with users and interested parties.
Further uncertainty arose following a recent public presentation by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which will own the ship and lease it to the operator, providing ferry services to the Western Isles.
Pressure is being exerted on Cal Mac to run the present ferry alongside the new vessel to stop turning tourists away.
Cllr Roddie Mackay, who has previously called for improved ferry services, warns reduced sailings could hit the Western Isles economy.
Mr Mackay stated: “We cannot be in a place where we are worse off following the introduction of the new ferry.
“A recent presentation to us at the council by the local tourist association suggested that the current usage was 100% for most of the summer and, indeed, we appear to be turning tourists away.
“If we lose the two extra sailings (a week) during the summer will the extra capacity on the new ferry be sufficient?
“I don’t think so and this coupled with the increased risks associated with having
one ferry suggest that what we have been saying all along is the case -
“Obviously optimum access is crucial to our island economy and that should always be a key driver in determining ferry provision.
“At the minute I'm not convinced that that's the case.
A Cal Mac spokesman said: "No decisions have been taken on timetables which are a matter for the operator to agree with Transport Scotland following appropriate local consultations and it would therefore be premature to discuss these outwith the formal consultation process."
The new Stornoway ferry is being built in two halves. The main hull is being constructed in Germany and the top decks are getting fabricated in Poland.
Her two main engines and three back-
She will be owned by the Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) which will lease it to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). In turn, CMAL will charter her to the operator of the route.
CMAL is the Scottish Government company which owns the ships providing ferry services to the Western Isles. Under European rules the vessels are charted to the best operator which successfully bids to run the service.