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After spending 18 months undergoing repairs, the return to service of a CalMac ferry has been postponed due to a last-minute technical issue. The MV Caledonian Isles has been out of operation since January 2024, with repair costs totaling almost £11m. Originally scheduled to resume sailings from Ardrossan to Arran on Friday morning, a new problem with the ship’s gearbox was uncovered during sea trials.
Initially taken out of service in January last year due to serious steel corrosion discovered during routine maintenance, the 32-year-old MV Caledonian Isles underwent extensive repair work in dry dock at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Merseyside. The ship’s engines were removed during the process. Upon its return to Scotland in September, additional faults, including a gearbox and propeller issue, were identified, with further investigation at Dale’s Marine in Greenock revealing a twisted rear section of the ship.
CalMac’s spokesperson noted that the latest gearbox fault was thought to be relatively minor, and efforts were underway to address it. However, further sea trials are necessary before the MV Caledonian Isles can be back in service. Despite the delay, a two-vessel service from Troon will be maintained for the time being to ensure a reliable service with sufficient capacity for Arran. Services from Troon will be operated by the new ferry MV Glen Sannox and the chartered catamaran Alfred, with the hope that the MV Caledonian Isles will soon be carrying passengers between Ardrossan and Brodick
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