Future Mull Vessel Deployment Options Consultation

We welcome you and thank you for taking the time to attend this public consultation event. This session seeks to gain your views on the baseline strategic vessel deployment, disposal and cascade plan, specifically your views of future vessel deployment for the Craignure - Oban service, until the new Mull vessels are delivered (circa 2030). ​

​For any comments and feedback, feedback forms supplied or alternatively please email Opens in new windowmullvesseldeployment@calmac.co.uk by 8 March 2026.

Download and view - Future Mull Vessel Deployment Options Consultation Document

28 Jan 2026

Future Mull Vessel Deployment Options Consultation document

PDF | 475.092kb

Overview and Background

  • CalMac issued the baseline Vessel Deployment, Disposal and Cascade Plan (VDD&CP) ​

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

  • This plan sets out a baseline view of how our major vessels will be deployed across the network through to 2028. ​

  • This plan is not final – it is an initial draft that we are publishing to invite discussion and collaboration. ​

  • We want to shape the final version through meaningful engagement and consultation, and that is why we are here today​

  • We are keen gather community views on these plans and understand your priorities​

  • All affected communities, whether directly or indirectly by vessel cascade or deployment. will be consulted before any final decisions are made.​

  • We commit to giving updates on the progress​

  • Our goal is to ensure that vessel changes reflect community feedback and support wellbeing and connectivity

Deployment Plan

  • Over the next four years, we will deploy a series of new vessels to improve capacity,reliability and resilience. These deployments are carefully planned to align withinfrastructure readiness, service demand, and community priorities.​

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

    • MV Isle of Islay entry into service - deployed to Kennacraig-Islay (Q1 2026)

    • MV Loch Indaal entry into service - deployed to Kennacraig-Islay (Q3 2026)

    • MV Glen Rosa entry into service - deployed to Ardrossan-Brodick (Q4 2026)

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

    • MV Claymore entry into service - deployed to Uig-Tarbert / Lochmaddy (Q2 2027)

  • The introduction to service of MV Glen Rosa will result in a vessel cascade which couldchange deployment on Craignure – Oban. ​

  • Each deployment option is supported by a detailed assessment of route needs, vesselcapability, 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 aremade in the context of wider network needs.​

  • The following vessels are currently identified for potential redelivery between 2026 and 2028:

    • MV Isle of Mull redelivered (TBC) - Q3 2026

    • MV Isle of Arran redelivered (TBC) - Q1 2027

    • MV Isle of Lewis redelivered (TBC) - Q2 2027

  • As MV Isle of Mull has been identified as potential vessel for redelivery, this consultation withcommunities is required to ensure local views and needs are taken into consideration. ​

  • Once this is completed a recommendation will be made to Ministers on vessel redelivery.

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:

    • MV Finlaggan cascaded to resilience vessel (Q3 2026)​

    • MV Caledonian Isles cascaded to TBC (Q4 2026)

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

    • MV Clansman cascaded to resilience vessel (Q1 2027)

    • MV Finlaggan and MV Clansman moved from resilience vessel to TBC (Q2/Q3 2027)

Ports

  • The ports and infrastructure we operate to are owned and maintained by third parties. Details arebelow for the two ports specific to this route: ​

  • Craignure​

  • Port is owned by Argyll and Bute Council (A&BC) ​

  • A&BC are progressing the Craignure Pier Development project including replacing thePassenger Access System (PAS), due for completion early 2029. ​

  • Oban​

  • Port is owned by CMAL​

  • The service berth for Craignure – Oban route is Oban 1​

  • CMAL are progressing a project to upgrade Oban 1 to accommodate a wider range ofvessels. The current programme expectations are that the earliest construction start datefor this work would be late 2028, subject to the potential construction plans for Craignure.​

  • Once these works are completed this will increase the range of vessels that can be deployed on the Craignure – Oban service. 

Baseline Plan and Options

  • The baseline plan outlines potential redelivery of MV Isle of Mull and subsequent vessel cascade options​

  • The alternative option of retaining MV Isle of Mull is also being considered. ​

Option

Details

1

Redeliver MV Isle of Mull​

1A

Deploy MV Caledonian Isles

1B

Deploy MV Clansman

1C

Deploy MV Hebrides

1D

Deploy MV Isle of Arran

1E

Deploy MV Finlaggan

1F

Deploy MV Lord of the Isles

1G

Deploy Islay Class vessel

2

Retain MV Isle of Mull

  • Some options have vessel/operational/infrastructure blockers (listed in the following boards) which could impact reliability/frequency of services to Mull and other parts of network. ​

  • For all options, the full network impact and resilience vessel needs to be confirmed.

Option 1 – Redeliver MV Isle of Mull 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1987 (39 years old)  

  • Exceeding expected service life as such there is an increasing risk of a major unplanned outage, with potential impacts on service  

Service Continuity 

  • If redelivered, MV Isle of Mull will be removed from service 7 weeks before MV Glen Rosa is delivered. This time is for vessel redelivery activities and crew familiarisation on the new vessel.  

  • Interim deployment solution may be required should this option progress 

 

Option 1A - Deploy MV Caledonian Isles to Craignure – Oban (Baseline Plan) 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1992 (34 years old)  

  • Exceeding expected service life, although was subject to substantial works associated with structural steel in the last few years. Even with these investment works and required works completed at overhauls, there is an increasing risk of a major unplanned outage, with potential impacts on service.  

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: While suitable fit achieved, poor mooring leads could impact service resilience. Bow in operations can utilise the PAS however, vessel will need to operate stern in due to bow in operations required at Oban 1 

  • Oban 1: Suitable for bow in operations and overnight berthing. PAS interface review ongoing to determine if connection is feasible.  

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 13% decrease in car carrying capacity with no mezz 

  • 5% increase in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation for 2027 (with no mezz): 86% 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped  

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • MV Caledonian Isles weather resilience may decrease due to poor mooring leads in Craignure  

  • 4.5% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Not able to meet current timetable due to no PAS interface so passengers required to access/egress via car deck.  

 

Option 1B – Deploy MV Clansman to Craignure – Oban 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1998 (28 years old) 

  • Nearing the end of her service life  

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: Suitable operational fit achieved and vessel has operated on the route. Can interface with PAS when berthing stern in. Overnight berthing not possible due to poor mooring leads.  

  • Oban 1: Suitable operational fit achieved, although no interface with PAS. Overnight berthing not possible due to no suitable crew gangway options.  

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 11% (no mezz decks) increase in car carrying capacity  

  • 33% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 73% (no mezz decks) 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Demonstrated reliable performance in adverse weather conditions on this route  

  • 3% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Not expected to be able to maintain the current timetable  

 

Option 1C – Deploy MV Hebrides to Craignure – Oban 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 2001 (25 years old) 

  • Will be nearing the end of her service life in 5 years  

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: Suitable operational fit achieved, vessel has operated the route. Can interface with PAS when berthing stern in. Overnight berthing not possible due to poor mooring leads.  

  • Oban 1: Suitable operational fit achieved, although no interface with PAS. Overnight berthing not possible due to no suitable crew gangway options.  

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 11% increase in car carrying capacity (with no mezz decks) 

  • 36% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 73% (with no mezz decks) 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Demonstrated reliable performance in adverse weather conditions on this route  

  • 1% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Not expected to be able to maintain the current timetable  

 

Option 1D – Deploy MV Isle of Arran to Craignure – Oban 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1983 (43 years old) 

  • Exceeding expected service life as such is identified as a potential vessel for redelivery 

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: Suitable fit with no PAS interface, frequently operates the service when required 

  • Oban1: Suitable fit with PAS interface, frequently operates the service when required 

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 10% decrease in car carrying capacity  

  • 54% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 84% 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Exceeding expected service life as such there is an increasing risk of a major unplanned outage, with potential impacts on service  

  • Weather resilience decreased due to being under powered  

  • 19.5% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Expected to be able to maintain the current timetable  

 

Option 1E – Deploy MV Finlaggan to Craignure – Oban 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 2011 (15 years old) 

  • Still within her service life  

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: Desktop assessment suggests suitable operational fit achieved when berthing stern in but does not interface with PAS. Overnight berthing not possible due to poor mooring leads.  

  • Oban 1: Desktop assessment suggests suitable operational fit achieved when berthing bow in and interface with PAS. Overnight berthing expected to be suitable. 

  • Berthing trial required to allow robust assessment.  

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 10% (with no mezz deck) decrease in car carrying capacity  

  • 43% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 84% (no mezz deck) 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Demonstrated reliable performance in adverse weather conditions 

  • 3.45% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Not expected to be able to maintain the current timetable due to lack of PAS interface at Craignure 

 

Option 1F – Deploy MV Lord of the Isles to Craignure – Oban 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1988 (38 years old) 

  • Exceeding expected service life as such is identified as a potential vessel for delivery 

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure and Oban: Suitable operational fit achieved, operates the service when required. Only able to utilise the PAS in Oban.  

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 21% decrease in car carrying capacity  

  • 73% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 91% 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Exceeding expected service life as such there is an increasing risk of a major unplanned outage, with potential impacts on service  

  • Weather resilience is comparable to MV Isle of Mull  

  • 9% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Timetable  

  • Not expected to be able to maintain the timetable operating as primary vessel   

 

Option 1G –  Deploy Islay Class vessel (from 2029 – dependent on completion of harbour upgrades) 

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 2026/2027 

Vessel Fit  

  • Craignure: Desktop assessment suggests a possible fit stern in however vessel displacement is more than the safe operating limit of current pier.  

  • Oban 1: Unable to deployed until project works completed   

  • Service plan could be reviewed on completion of harbour upgrades 

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • 4% (no mezz deck) increase in car carrying capacity  

  • 53% decrease in passenger capacity  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 76% 

Freight 

  • Current freight can be shipped and benefit of increased range of dangerous goods that can be shipped due to open car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • Vessel not in service yet therefore no data available 

Timetable  

  • Not expected to be able to maintain the timetable  

 

Option 2 –  Retain MV Isle of Mull  

Vessel Age & Condition 

  • Built in 1987 (39 years old) 

  • Works required to retain the vessel in service until the delivery of the new Mull vessels (circa 2030), would result in additional off service time due to extended overhauls.  

  • Vessel condition report expected in March 2026 to define scope of works, costs and associated risks.  

  • As the vessel continues to age, even with the required works completed at overhauls, there is an increasing risk of a major unplanned outage, with potential impacts on service continuity. 

Capacity & Utilisation  

  • Car carrying capacity as per current  

  • Forecasted average utilisation 2027: 79% 

Freight 

  • Current limitations related to carrying dangerous goods remain due to enclosed car deck 

Weather Resilience & Technical Cancellations  

  • 3.5% of scheduled sailings were disrupted due to technical issues in 2023 

Next Steps

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

  • All information displayed well be made available on CalMac’s website and can be access via the QR code​

  • Please provide any comments today via the feedback clipboards supplied or email Opens in new windowmullvesseldeployment@calmac.co.ukOpens in new window by 8 March 2026​

  • Feedback will be collated, analysed by the tripartite and used to inform deployment options and redelivery recommendations​

  • We will publish a summary of consultation outcomes and explain how community input has influenced the plan​

Timelines​

  • 8 March 2026 – Feedback via email closes​

  • 31 March 2026 – MV Isle of Mull Vessel condition assessment report complete ​

  • 30 April 2026 – Options paper with recommendation will be submitted to Transport Scotland​

  • 30 April 2026 – A summary of consultation outcomes published ​

​

​

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 availablefor commercial traffic. ​

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

  • Several vessels in the fleet have a mezzanine (mezz) deck which can be deployed to increase their carryingcapacity. This can have an impact on turnaround times. These capacities have been reflected in the tablebelow. ​

Vessel

Cars

Passengers

Commercial Traffic
(High Lane Meters)
MV Isle of Mull 

63

951

150m
MV Caledonian Isles no mezz deck

55

1000

150m

MV Caledonian Isles 1 mezz deck

 71

1000 

 87m

MV Caledonian Isles 2 mezz deck

 88

 1000

12m 

MV Clansman no mezz deck

70 

 638

170m 

MV Clansman mezz deck

78 

 638

137m 

Download and view - Future Mull Vessel Deployment Options Consultation Document

28 Jan 2026

Future Mull Vessel Deployment Options Consultation document

PDF | 475.092kb