Exclusive:Immediate improvements ordered at newly-nationalised Ardrossan harbour despite 'continually maintained' claim
Upgrades to improve CalMac ferry resilience to get underway
A firm whose much-criticised harbour on one of CalMac’s busiest routes is being nationalised has claimed it has kept it safe for ferries despite ministers ordering “immediate” works to improve resilience.
The Scottish Government is buying Ardrossan harbour in North Ayrshire from Peel Ports Group (PPG) in an attempt to speed up its long-planned upgrade for sailings to Brodick in Arran.
CalMac and Scottish Government ferry-buying firm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Cmal) have previously condemned the state of the harbour, which has limited its use by ferries.
The delayed upgrade has also forced CalMac to switch its new Glen Sannox ferry to a longer route from Troon despite the vessel being completed six-and-a-half years late.
PPG has blamed “endless tinkering” with the project by the Scottish Government for the hold up.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop told MSPs last week that negotiations over the purchase of the harbour had been completed successfully.
But she also said that Cmal, which will take it over, was “expected to take forward immediate works at the harbour to improve resilience”.
Ms Hyslop said: “Cmal has identified immediate minor works and has therefore already procured replacement fenders [bumpers to prevent damage to ferries and harbour sides] and will repair navigation lights.
“Those initial works will be undertaken as soon as possible and are planned to not disrupt continuing services, thus ensuring improved resilience of the Arran berth.”
A spokesperson for Cmal said: “Following the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, we are committed to delivering the necessary upgrades and repairs to maintain the service from Arran to Ardrossan, to support the network and the communities it serves.”
However, The Scotsman understands that PPG considered the harbour was in safe and fully operational working order.
Its spokesperson said: “As an operational harbour, we continually maintain the infrastructure to ensure that ferries can operate safely.
“That will continue until the ownership of the harbour formally transfers to public ownership.
“All existing maintenance contracts with third parties remain in force.
“It is to be expected that new owners will make their own changes ahead of the further upgrades required to accommodate the new ferries.”
The state of the harbour has limited ferry sailings in bad weather.
CalMac said Caledonian Isles, its main ferry on the Ardrossan-Arran route, has had restrictions placed on its use during strong winds because of a “pitch control” fault.
The operator said repairs were underway, after which it would check to see whether the restrictions could be lifted.
Two years ago, the then CalMac chief executive Robbie Drummond spoke of his frustration at the “chaos” caused to sailings by the “absolute failure of critical infrastructure” in the harbour.
Cmal chief executive Kevin Hobbs also said in 2024: “Undeniably, there has been a severe lack of investment at Ardrossan for many years.
“They are a statutory harbour authority. They have got an obligation to make sure the facilities they own are fit for purpose, and I contend that they are not.
“A port will fall to bits unless it’s got the right level of repair and maintenance, and that’s where it’s falling over.
“I am very clear that they have definitely not spent enough money on that port and you can see the consequences.”
Mr Hobbs has since said the harbour’s resilience has improved.
However, Lewis McIntyre, Peel Ports’ managing director of port services, responded at the time: “We strongly refute the false allegations made about a lack of investment at Ardrossan.
“As a responsible port operator, it is in our interest to maintain and invest in our facilities.
“Despite the increasingly wild claims by those with ulterior agendas, the facts clearly speak for themselves.”
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