Future Colonsay Vessel Deployment Engagement Session

We welcome you and thank you for taking the time to read this public engagement material. The aim is to share information on the strategic vessel deployment, disposal and cascade plan, specifically vessel deployment for the Colonsay – Oban service.

Please read the material at your leisure.

For any comments and feedback, please speak to our team or email strategicplanning@calmac.co.uk

Overview and Background

• In December 2025, CalMac has published the baseline Vessel Deployment, Disposal and Cascade Plan (VDD&CP). This sets out a baseline view of howour major vessels will be  deployed across the network through to 2028.

• This aligns to the Island Connectivity Plan (ICP) Vessels and Ports Plan.

• Transport Scotland is currently carrying out Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) that could inform long-term changes to service provision on the Colonsay route. However, these potential changes are beyond the scope of the current engagement and have not been considered as part of this exercise.

Deployment Plan

• Over the coming years, we will deploy a series of new vessels to improve capacity, reliability and resilience.

• These deployments are carefully planned to align with infrastructure readiness, service demand, and community priorities.The following major vessels are scheduled to enter service between now and 2028:

The following major vessels are scheduled to enter service between 2026 and 2028:

• Q4 2026 - MV Loch Indaal entry into service - deployed to Kennacraig - Islay

• Q1 2027 - MV Glen Rosa entry into service - deployed to Ardrossan - Brodick

• Q1 2027 - MV Lochmor entry into service - deployed to Uig - Tarbert / Lochmaddy

• Q3 2027 - MV Claymore entry into service - deployed to Uig - Tarbert / Lochmaddy

• The introduction into service of MV Lochmor may result in a vessel cascade which could have changed deployment on Colonsay – Oban.

• Each deployment option is supported by a detailed assessment of route needs, vessel capability, and operational readiness.

Redelivery Principles and Indicative Programme

Our approach to deciding vessel redelivery (removal from service) is guided by the following principles:

• Prioritise older vessels to reduce the risk of unplanned breakdowns and service disruption.

• Engage with affected communities to understand local impacts and explore alternative options.

• Maintain resilience by retaining vessels to support maintenance or contingency planning.

• Ensure environmental compliance through responsible disposal or repurposing.

• Redelivery is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each vessel is assessed individually, and decisions are made in the context of wider network needs.

• The baseline plan identified the following vessels for potential removal from service between now and 2028:

  • Q4 2026 - MV Isle of Mull redelivered (tbc)

  • Q4 2026 - MV Isle of Arran redelivered (tbc)

  • Q1 2027 - MV Isle of Lewis redelivered (tbc)

Cascade Principles and Indicative Programme

Our approach to cascade planning is guided by:

• Maximising operational value of existing vessels.

• Improving service reliability on routes with older or less capable vessels.

• Supporting community needs through targeted redeployment.

• Maintaining flexibility to respond to changing demand or disruption.

• Infrastructure compatibility, crew availability, and seasonal service patterns

The following cascade movements are currently planned:

• Q4 2026 - MV Finalggan cascaded to resilience vessel

• Q1 2027 - MV Caledonian Isles cascaded to TBC

• Q1 2027 - MV Clansman cascaded to resilience vessel

• Q1 2027 - MV Hebrides cascaded to Oban - Coll/Tiree

• Q2 2027 - MV Finlaggan and MV Clansman moved from resilience vessel to TBC

• MV Clansman and MV Hebrides were being considered as potential vessels to cascade.

Baseline Plan and Options

• The baseline plan outlines potential cascade of MV Clansman and MV Hebrides.

• We have reviewed the two deployment options to ensure that Colonsay services meet community priorities, where possible:

For both options, a full network impact and resilience vessel has been reviewed.

Options and Impact

Next Steps

Thank you for taking the time to attend and provide any feedback

• Feedback from the community demonstrates a strong preference for retaining MV Clansman as the primary vessel on the route.

• This preference reflects the vessel's strong operational record and its alignment with community priorities.

• On this basis, we recommend retaining MV Clansman as the main service vessel for the route.

Vessel Capacities

• The below table shows the average carrying capacities for each vessel.

• For commercial traffic, this is calculated in high lane meters (HLM). This is the amount of lane meters available for commercial traffic.

• The below table shows the maximum HLM space provided with no other traffic encroaching in this space. For the car capacities this shows the maximum number of cars when not affected by HLM bookings.