Investment Plans

Asset Renewal

This Plan sets out the investment programme recommended to maintain and safely operate the current network of ferry services, in particular by:

• renewing the fleet and upgrading ports in response to asset age and condition;
• improving technical and weather reliability when investing in new vessels and port upgrades;
• improving resilience through an expansion in the major vessel fleet and through increased interoperability of vessels and ports within the major and small vessel fleets.

The objective for vessels is to bring the average fleet age down to around 15 years whilst making necessary improvements in reliability and resilience.

The intention is for CMAL and the relevant operator to undertake reviews of assets at their approximate mid-life – this will inform decisions on planned life extension projects, redeployment of vessels and the planned timing of replacement or disposal. Such reviews would be part of asset management and the results will feed into future versions of this Plan. Longer-term forward planning will also assist all parties, and the services operators in particular, with workforce planning, recruitment and training.

Delivery Phases

This Plan is broken down into 4 broad time phases:

• Phase 1 – projects listed in the IIP for initiation or delivery 2021-2026.
• Phase 2 – projects recommended for initiation or delivery 2026-2031.
• Phase 3 – projects recommended for initiation or delivery 2031-2036.
• Phase 4 – projects recommended for initiation or delivery 2036-2045.

The level of uncertainty increases for later phases. The pace and timing of delivery in practice will depend on a number of factors including the outcomes of CNAs, stakeholder feedback, availability of funding, capacity of suppliers and updated reviews of asset condition. To ensure this Plan remains up to date, it is intended to refresh it every two to three years and fully update it every five years.

Phase 1 – 2021-2026

Fleet and Port enhancements

As stated previously, the Scottish Government’s IIP published in February 2021 set out a series of vessel and port projects that would be taken forward during the five years of the IIP from April 2021 to March 2026, in addition to the completion of the MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.

The projects listed in that Plan were:

Replacement vessel projects for:	Major harbour development projects at:
• Islay • Gourock-Dunoon-Kilcreggan passenger services • Up to 7 small vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides network • Craignure-Oban • Mallaig-Lochboisdale • Northern Isles freighters	• Ardrossan • Little Minch: Uig, Tarbert and Lochmaddy • Gourock • Lochboisdale (Gasay) • Armadale • Kennacraig • Oban

Given the long lead-times for vessel and port projects, it was always known that a number of these projects would require further funding for construction beyond the five-year period of the IIP.

The current status of these projects, including MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, and some additional major projects added since the publication of the IIP, is set out below:

Completed

• Tarbert port
• Lochmaddy port
• MV Glen Sannox

Underway

• MV Glen Rosa
• Uig Port
• Islay Vessel 1 (MV Isle of Islay)
• Small Vessel Replacement Programme (Phase 1)

In Development

• Ardrossan port
• Gourock port
• Gourock-Dunoon/Kilcreggan vessels
• Northern Isles freighters
• Mallaig-Lochboisdale vessel
• Lochboisdale (Gasay) port
• Craignure-Oban vessel
• Armadale
• Oban – berth 1 upgrades

Additional since IIP Publication

• Islay vessel 2 (MV Loch Indaal)
• Islay vessel enabling port works (Kennacraig/Port Askaig/Colonsay)
• Little Minch vessels 1 and 2 (MV Lochmor and MV Claymore)
• SVRP port works
• Port Ellen terminal development
• SVRP Phase 2
• Mallaig overnight ferry berth
• Cumbrae slipway and landside improvements

In addition, a number of other third party port projects are in development, notably:

• Craignure – Argyll & Bute Council (ABC) are working towards an Outline Business Case for a major redevelopment of the existing port which is reaching asset life expiry;
• Dunoon and Kilcreggan – As part of the replacement vessels project being led by CMAL, ABC is developing designs to accommodate future vessels for services to Gourock.
• Iona and Fionnphort – ABC is undertaking design and statutory approvals work for the upgrading of these ports which will improve reliability of the crossing.

Increased Fleet Resilience – CHFS Major Vessels

The delivery of new vessels during Phase 1 will also enable an increase in the resilience of the major vessel fleet through:

• the retention of a major CHFS “resilience vessel” as a priority following the delivery of new tonnage to provide network resilience until at least 2030. Although remaining part of the CHFS fleet, this increased fleet size should also provide a potential option for responding to an unplanned outage on the NIFS network.
• The deployment of two vessels, in summer, on the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy services (“Little Minch”). This will strengthen resilience of the services to the Outer Hebrides as a whole (in case of disruption to the services to Stornoway or Barra, for example) and to the wider CHFS and NIFS networks.

These two decisions increase the size of the current CHFS major vessel fleet from 10 to 12.

The future need for the “resilience vessel” will be reviewed around 2030, once the major vessel fleet has been renewed and the improvement in resilience from a fleet of modern vessels can be assessed. The “resilience vessel” will be one in the current fleet retained for that purpose – it does not need another new vessel to be procured.

Replacements (newbuild or second hand) for 8 of the other CHFS major vessels (excluding the “resilience vessel”) are envisaged in Phases 1 and 2. The replacements for MVs Finlaggan and Loch Seaforth are not due until Phase 4.

Major vessel replacement projects (CHFS) already at various stages in the investment programme are:

• 801 (Glen Sannox) – delivered November 2024
• 802 (Glen Rosa) – under construction;
• two new vessels for Islay – under construction;
• two additional “Islay class” vessels for the “Little Minch” – under construction;
• replacement vessel for Mallaig-Lochboisdale – project in development but not currently funded, and;
• replacement vessels for Craignure-Oban – project in development but not currently funded.

The introduction of new vessels will enable the re-deployment of some major vessels. Whilst deployment plans remain under review, the working assumptions informing current planning are:

• following entry into service of MVs Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, MV Caledonian Isles will be redeployed to Craignure-Oban services pending procurement and delivery of new vessels for that route, and releasing MV Isle of Mull for disposal;
• following entry into service of the 2 new Islay vessels, MV Finlaggan will become the “resilience vessel”, releasing MV Isle of Arran for disposal;
• following entry into service of the 2 new Little Minch vessels, MV Hebrides will be redeployed to the Oban-Coll/Tiree and Oban-Colonsay services with MV Clansman redeployed to the Oban-Castlebay service, and releasing MV Isle of Lewis for disposal.

The successful delivery of all these projects will, therefore, leave two further CHFS major vessels during Phase 2.

Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP)

The IIP includes a commitment to SVRP, reflecting the age of many of this type of CHFS ferry.

The Outline Business Case (OBC) for the first phase of SVRP, recommended the number of vessels to be replaced, the type of vessel replacements and the timing of procurements and was completed in 2024 with procurement launched in July 2024. A contract was awarded in March 2025 for replacements for 7 of the oldest vessels in the fleet. Proposed deployment of new and current vessels, associated port works including shore power requirements and vessel redeployments and disposals have been developed and will be shared through that programme. The small vessel fleet already benefits from the resilience provided by additional vessels - currently MV Loch Linnhe and MV Loch Bhrusda. We aim to retain these resilience benefits through the SVRP.

It is recommended that the proposal from the Ferries Plan (2012) to work towards a single passenger and vehicle crossing from Point to Port Appin, which is the shorter of the two crossings to Lismore, is carried forward. Any business case to support this proposal will be informed by discussions with stakeholders, the CNA and engagement with the communities of Lismore and Appin.

The SVRP is continuing with the recent commencement of Phase 2, with the objective of replacing further vessels, including those serving the Sounds of Harris and Barra and including consideration of future vessels for Mallaig-Armadale.

Gourock-Dunoon/Kilcreggan

The IIP also included a commitment to replacement passenger ferries for services from Gourock to Dunoon and Kilcreggan, reflecting the reliability and condition of the former rather than strict vessel age. This vessel replacement OBC is also advancing. The CNAs for Cowal (Gourock-Dunoon passenger ferry) and Rosneath (Gourock-Kilcreggan passenger ferry) were published on 11 September 2024 and, on 13 March 2025, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity announced that services would be reduced to reflect identified community need noting that focus could now turn to the vessel replacement project, ensuring a more reliable service between Gourock and Dunoon.

Northern Isles freight vessels

A CMAL-led project to replace the two Northern Isles freight vessels with an improved design, adding capacity and reducing passage time, and potentially adding some flexible passenger-carrying capacity, is now at the design stage and an Outline Business Case is being considered.

Ports and Harbours

A number of major port projects are expected to conclude or significantly progress during Phase 1: Tarbert (completed), Lochmaddy (completed), Uig, Troon enabling works (available for use) and Islay enabling works. Other CMAL port projects are under development but not funded: the most significant of these projects in terms of scale are Port Ellen terminal redevelopment and Gasay (Lochboisdale) port construction. 

The Ardrossan project is currently undergoing a business case review and cost exercise, which is of vital importance in defining the scope of works, allowing greater certainty of the project costs and the financial packages required from each of the funding partners to deliver an improved service for the Arran community. This was paused in February 2025 to explore an alternative approach to delivery through the potential purchase of the port by CMAL from Peel Ports.

Additional developments

During Phase 1 we also propose to commence work to develop business cases for a number of other projects, in addition to those already underway, to ensure that later phases of this draft Plan are on track:

• Small Isles vessel replacement project and associated port works;
• CHFS major vessel replacement project for MVs Clansman and Hebrides, and;
• NIFS replacement project for MVs Hrossey, Hjaltland and Hamnavoe.

Phase 2 – 2026-2031

Fleet and Port enhancements

Phase 2 will require significant further investment planning and delivery of vessels and ports on the CHFS and NIFS networks. Based on an assumed vessel operating life of 30-years on these networks, recommendations include:

• completion of Phase 1 and much of Phase 2 of the CHFS Small Vessel Replacement Programme;
• replacement of the two NIFS freighters (not before 2029);
• completion of the renewal of the CHFS major vessel fleet including vessels for Craignure-Oban and Mallaig-Lochboisdale;
• new tonnage for the Small Isles (before 2030/2031);
• completion of port enabling works associated with the above vessel projects;
• significant progress on CMAL port project(s) at Gourock;
• construction and completion of CMAL port projects at Cumbrae, Lochboisdale (Gasay), Port Ellen and Oban 1 berth;
• initiation of CMAL port projects at Armadale, Oban, Castlebay and Kennacraig in addition to the completion of the majority of the projects commenced during Phase 1;
• development/procurement of replacements for the 3 NIFS RoPax vessels;
• planning for the replacement of CHFS “medium” vessels (see below);
• replacement of the current Kerrera vessel, MV Carvoria.

Northern Isles passenger services

Two large vehicle and passenger vessels, MVs Hrossey and Hjaltland, serving Shetland and Orkney from Aberdeen, will both be 30 years old in 2032 and the MV Hamnavoe, serving Orkney across the Pentland Firth, will reach that age a year later. Work on planning for and procuring their replacements will commence during the later part of Phase 1 with a view to the delivery of new tonnage in the early part of Phase 3. This will include engagement with the Orkney and Shetland communities and liaison with the 4 port owners.

Small Isles

The Small Isles vessel, MV Lochnevis, was built in 2000 and, therefore, is expected to be replaced by the end of Phase 2. There is an outstanding proposal in the Ferries Plan for a change to the number and type of vessels serving the Small Isles which was not taken forward following further engagement with the communities. Work on replacement tonnage will follow the conclusion of a refreshed CNA. This project is therefore scheduled for initiation in Phase 1 and will include engagement with the four Small Isles’ communities and liaison with the port owners.

CHFS Major Vessel network

As noted above, the MV Hebrides will be redeployed to serve Coll, Tiree and Colonsay. Based on asset life, she will be due for replacement at the end of Phase 2. As set out in the ‘Standardisation’ section above, this would ideally be another “Islay vessel” design or a variant. However, this would require port enabling works at for Coll and Tiree that are expected to be extensive.

The working assumption is therefore that major port works by CMAL at Coll and Tiree, identified as a future requirement in line with asset life, will be undertaken after the delivery of a replacement major vessel for those services planned for Phase 2. The replacement vessel will therefore need to be a design that can serve those ports and communities reliably. There will also need to be suitable tonnage retained within the fleet that can provide overhaul cover for Coll and Tiree.

However, it would be appropriate for the business case process for the new vessel to consider the timing, feasibility and affordability of accelerating the major port investment foreseen at Coll and Tiree so that it would take place in parallel with the vessel replacement project during Phase 2. Given the planned timescales, this option would need early consideration. 

Due to port assets reaching life expiry, a number of major renewal projects are being led by CMAL with business cases being developed, notably Lochboisdale, Armadale, Kennacraig and Oban. The funding decisions whether to support these projects will consider affordability and Value for Money as this work progresses.

Mallaig Harbour Authority (MHA) has indicated that significant works will be required to the port assets supporting current ferry services;

Replacement of ‘Medium’ size vessels

During Phases 2 and 3, replacements for a number of “medium” CHFS vessels will require consideration for:

• Mallaig-Armadale, currently served by MV Loch Fyne (1991) and MV Coruisk (2003);
• Wemyss Bay – Rothesay, current served by MVs Bute (2005), Argyle (2007) and (winter relief) Coruisk;
• MV Loch Frisa (2015, into service on CHFS 2022) recently introduced to the Craignure-Oban service alongside the major vessel MV Isle of Mull (1988).

These three routes share some characteristics that distinguish them from both the major vessels and small vessels used on CHFS both now and as planned for the future. They are all in more sheltered waters, which is reflected in the vessel classification requirements, and are also relatively short crossings of less than an hour with high volumes of passenger and vehicle traffic particularly in summer. Whilst future service requirements for each of these routes will be examined through CNAs under ICP, the potential for a class of vessel suitable for these routes, but potentially with wider resilience benefits beyond these locations, is one we consider worth exploring.

The initial decision point for this will be the replacement tonnage for Craignure-Oban during Phases 1 and 2. This project is currently developing a business case proposal for two new vessels for this route which would free up the MV Loch Frisa, although options for her redeployment on the CHFS network are currently limited.

Phase 3 – 2031-2036

Fleet and Port enhancements

The five years from 2031-2036 will require continued significant investments, again based on an assumed operating life of 30 years on these networks. Recommendations include:

• delivery of replacements for the three NIFS passenger and vehicle vessels;
• replacement of CHFS “medium” vessels including replacement tonnage for the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route to Bute;
• replacement of the MV Loch Shira, currently serving Cumbrae, potentially as part of a third phase of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme;
• CMAL port projects are scheduled to be initiated for Colonsay, Tiree and Coll;
• construction and completion of port projects commenced during Phase 2;
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has indicated that works are anticipated to be required to the port infrastructure supporting the Sound of Barra and Sound of Harris services around this time, subject to a fuller assessment;
• consideration of “life extension” projects.

MHA has also published ambitious proposals for the future development of the port which would include improved facilities for ferry services.

As they approach normal working life expiry, replacements should be procured to replace the MV Loch Shira serving Cumbrae and the 3 hybrid vessels introduced in the last decade (MVs Hallaig, Lochinvar and Catriona).

Other CMAL major ports recommended for major investment due to advancing age during Phases 3 and 4 are Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Wemyss Bay. The planning and delivery of these projects will need to be considered alongside vessel replacement plans and also to support network resilience through the interoperability of the future fleets.

During Phases 3 and 4 of this Plan, we will explore vessel life extension projects to smooth the future investment programme and also, in line with commercial and technical feasibility, enable the conversion of vessels to zero/low emission technology.

Phase 4 – 2036-2045

Recommendations for the final decade of the proposed plan could see:

• continued replacement of vessels as they reach operational life expiry, including MVs Finlaggan and Loch Seaforth;
• the construction and completion of projects commenced during Phase 3;
• CMAL review of mid-life port assets and development of life extension options;
• Lerwick Port Authority has indicated that the main port assets used by the NIFS ferry service will be required to be upgraded during this Phase;
• life extension options planned in for mid-life of vessels;
• decarbonisation requirements ahead of 2045 – including those vessels delivered and/or procured in the 2020s;
• the commencement of planning for the replacement of the vessels now due for delivery in the early 2020s.

Phase 4 would see the replacement of MV Finlaggan (2011) and MV Loch Seaforth (2014). Alongside this – although subject to analysis and decisions closer to the time – we envisage a number of the major vessels (from either or both networks) delivered in the 2020s undergoing “life extension”. This would help smooth the future investment programme and also provide the opportunity for retrofitting of zero emission propulsion – subject to technical and commercial feasibility.

Additional Options

While the plan above recommends a core investment programme, there are a number of opportunities to enhance the networks during the life of this Plan that have been identified for further consideration. Some have already been confirmed:

• resilience vessel for the CHFS major vessel fleet;
• two-vessel summer service for the Little Minch

Other potential changes to services, with implications for the future investment programme set out in future versions of this Plan, are expected to be identified through CNAs. The first refresh of this Plan in 2027 would therefore reflect the outcomes arising from the full round of assessments of CHFS and NIFS routes and services.

Any proposed changes will be subject to Value for Money and affordability. Due to the scale of investment needed to deliver the plan, the opportunity to implement some of these outcomes is likely to come in the longer-term, once the significant investment identified for the next decade to maintain the current network of services has been secured – see section on Investment Prioritisation, above.