Comhairle Welcomes Strathclyde University Findings

22 March 2021 at 17:46:38

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes the release of the findings of Strathclyde University who have assessed the suitability of the Catamaran identified by the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee for service primarily on the Mull route, but also on a large number of routes operated by Calmac including Islay, Arran and Colonsay.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chairman of the Comhairle's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said: "The expert analysis by Strathclyde University of the catamaran that is currently available to CMAL for purchase from Sea Transport Solutions of Australia is extremely positive showing as it does that the vessel would immediately become one of the safest in the Calmac fleet if purchased.  This is great news not just for Mull but for other communities across the Calmac network who would enjoy greater resilience from the technical failures that have dogged the ageing Calmac fleet.

"I wrote to the Islands Minister last month asking him to seriously consider this option and having had sight of the report it is clear that there are no credible reasons not to proceed to commercial terms for the purchase of this ferry. The people of Barra in particular would benefit from the availability of MV Isle of Mull to cover their service during dry dock periods instead of the completely unsuitable MV Isle of Arran."