Sarwar pledges ferry service reform to ‘fix mess’ – Daily Business

Scotland’s new ferries have been plagued by delays

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says he would reform the management of Scotland’s ferry services and introduce a new procurement process as a way to tackle constant disruptions.

Amid a tenfold increase in cancellations, Mr Sarwar listed a five-point plan for “fixing the mess”, starting with a merger of CalMac and CMAL into a new publicly-owned ferry agency.

On a visit to the Western Isles, he said would also Give islanders representation on the board, end the SNP’s “chaotic ad hoc approach to replacing ageing vessels”, standardise ship design and put in place a rolling programme to continually modernise the fleet.  

He said he would work with Scotland’s shipbuilding industry to secure jobs and investment.

Figures provided in an FOI response from CalMac show that the number of ferries cancelled for technical reasons rose more than tenfold between 2015 and 2025 – from 709 to 7371 per year.

In 2025 the majority of cancellations were caused by technical issues rather than weather or other – the first time in at least a decade that this has been the case. In 2015 technical cancellations accounted for only one in 10 cancellations.

“Right across Scotland, the SNP’s ferry fiasco is a symbol of their incompetence and waste – but in our islands it has wreaked havoc with people’s day to day lives,” said Mr Sarwar.

“Behind these shameful figures are islanders who have missed weddings, funerals and medical appointments, loved ones who have been separated and businesses that are struggling to stay afloat.

“Enough is enough – it is time to put an end to the SNP’s ferry fiasco and give island communities the reliable lifeline service they deserve.”

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