CalMac’s newest ferry MV Isle of Islay needs dry dock repairs 15 weeks after entering service

While state-owned CalMac operates the west coast ferry network, it leases the ships it uses from CMAL, which is also wholly-owned by the Scottish government.

The arrival of MV Isle of Islay in Scotland in February, after a four-week and at times stormy journey from Turkey, was hailed as a “new chapter” by CalMac’s boss Duncan Mackison.

A few weeks later, after crew familiarisation trials, the ship entered service on the Kennacraig to Islay route.

But after six weeks of sailings, on 14 May, it developed an issue with the hinge pins on its bow door.

Since then, the ship has operated with vehicles embarking and disembarking from the stern, but CalMac said it had been able to maintain scheduled sailings.

The ship will enter Dales dry dock in Greenock on 15 July for two weeks of repairs, during which time its route will be covered by the oldest large vessel in the fleet, MV Isle of Arran, which was built by Ferguson shipbuilders in 1983.

CalMac said it believed the smaller ship would have enough passenger capacity for the route, although customers are advised to book in advance.

Despite the problems, a spokesperson added that the firm was satisfied with the new ferry, and 150 warranty claims was not an unusually-high number for a “first in class” vessel.