Pentland Ferries pulls out of talks with CalMac over lease of MV Pentalina to help on west coast routes
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HOPES that a large catamaran ferry could be brought in to help alleviate pressures on CalMac's ageing fleet have been dashed – after the ship's owner pulled out of talks.
CalMac had been in discussions with Pentland Ferries over the potential charter the vessel MV Pentalina to serve routes on the west coast.
The talks had developed greater importance this spring when the lengthy breakdown of the MV Loch Seaforth, and need to draft in temporary replacements from elsewhere in its fleet, caused a string of knock-on issues for CalMac's west coast services.
It was hoped that the MV Pentalina's arrival in the CalMac fleet might help mitigate such issues, should they arise again.
But that has now dashed after Pentland Ferries said the "potential charter" would not be financially viable.
Managing director of Pentland Ferries, Andrew Banks, said: “While we were very much looking forward to working with CalMac Ferries to help provide a solution to the challenges being faced by the island communities on the west coast of Scotland, it has become clear that issues outwith our control are likely to arise over the lifespan of the contract to threaten the commercial viability.
"Unfortunately these issues, which fundamentally stem from the very different status of a public-funded service compared to a small private operator such as ourselves, have given us no alternative but to withdraw from the discussions.
“I would like to stress that the talks with CalMac Ferries were positive and constructive and the vessel herself is safe and very suitable for service on the west coast.
"However, our priority has to be to the continued viability of Pentland Ferries, and to our employees and passengers. We cannot commit to a scenario whereby external factors have the potential to cause severe risk and reputational damage to the business that we have worked so hard to build, and unfortunately we have therefore let CalMac know of our decision.”
The MV Pentalina, which is currently in Kirkwall harbour, has held a Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved Passenger Ship Safety Certificate and has been Lloyds Register-classed since going into service in 2009. The vessel has undergone annual surveys and inspections by both authorities throughout this time. She remains available for charter or sale.
Related news: MV Loch Seaforth finally returns to Ullapool-Stornoway route after April breakdown
