More than 10,000 CalMac ferry sailings have been cancelled due to technical faults since the beginning of 2023, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The data reveals that 10,809 sailings were cancelled for technical reasons between January 2023 and the end of April 2025, highlighting the ongoing struggles of Scotland’s west coast ferry network.
CalMac’s ageing fleet has faced repeated maintenance problems, causing significant disruption for island communities. The arrival of new vessels, such as the MV Glen Sannox, which joined the fleet in January, is expected to gradually improve service reliability.
Lib Dem MSP Jamie Greene criticised the Scottish Government, stating:
“These figures reveal just how much chaos the SNP are causing island communities. Our island communities are being treated as second-class citizens, lacking the basic right to access the same public services as mainland Scots. The SNP’s failure to deliver new lifeline ferries has anchored islanders with an aging fleet that is in constant need of repair, at constant risk of cancellation and costing millions in repair bills. My constituents on the west coast are suffering the depressing reality of losing business, missing events and hospital appointments and, frankly, they have lost faith in the Scottish Government’s ability to fix those problems.”
The beleaguered ferry operator has pointed out that more than 95% of all planned sailings went ahead since 2023. A CalMac spokeswoman responded:
“The figures clearly show that CalMac operated more than 95% of all planned sailings since 2023. In a typical day, we operate over 450 sailings and our staff work hard to provide a good service in challenging circumstances. In fact, poor weather remains the most common cause of disruption. In terms of technical problems, these do happen with an aging fleet and in increasingly challenging weather. However, the arrival of 13 new vessels by 2029, which started with MV Glen Sannox in January this year, will reduce these and modern vessels will improve the reliability and resilience of services across the whole network.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson added:
“Between January 1, 2023 and April 30 2025, over 95% of the 391,139 scheduled sailings operated. We are investing in six, new, major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network from early 2025, alleviating the need for extensive repairs on older vessels and improving reliability. Contracts have also been signed for a further seven, new, smaller vessels to serve the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network. CalMac are delivering services in increasingly challenging weather and the arrival of 13 new vessels by 2029… will reduce technical issues and these modern vessels should also be able to operate in more challenging weather and sea conditions. To improve service in the short term, we have also purchased the MV Loch Frisa and chartered the MV Alfred. We continue to work with operators and CMAL to improve resilience across our networks.”
