2. To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that suitable vessels are deployed on the Mallaig to Armadale ferry route. (S5O-00600)

I am, of course, aware of the views of communities that are served by the service. I reassure them that Scottish ministers remain committed to the Mallaig to Armadale service and to supporting its long-term stability and growth.

The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services are operated by CalMac Ferries under contract with Scottish ministers. The operator charters the ferry fleet from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. Under the public services contract, CalMac is responsible for the deployment of vessels on individual routes to best deliver the contracted services across the whole network.

For summer 2017, CalMac will run a two-vessel service on the route, deploying the MV Loch Fyne and the MV Lord of the Isles. CalMac anticipates that the vessel deployment on the Mallaig to Armadale route this summer will offer additional capacity and sailings as well as greater reliability. That should provide ferry users with an improved service on the route this summer.

As a result of this saga, both visitors and locals have faced massive disruption, and communities on both sides of the Sound of Sleat have suffered. Although many of the issues lie with CalMac, in relation to vessels, as the Minister is responsible for both ferries and the islands and is a member of a Government that awarded the tender to CalMac, will he take personal responsibility for pursuing an urgent solution to this problem?

As I said last summer to communities in Sleat, Mallaig and Armadale, I fully accept that there was an unacceptable level of service and disruption last year. That is why I tasked Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac to come up with a better, improved service. They have done that with the two-vessel solution, which will offer more sailings with an increased number of return sailings per day and across the summer season. In addition, more cars will be able to be taken on the route and the MV Loch Fyne will undergo some modifications to make it more suitable for the route. As well as that, CalMac has offered marketing and promotional support to businesses. Importantly, CalMac has also appointed a dedicated person, who will lead on engagement with the community for the route.

Of course, because of the tidal nature of the route, there will be some element of disruption. However, what is important is that CalMac now has a much better idea of when that disruption might occur and has put in place as many mitigating measures as possible. I am, therefore, confident that the summer timetable this year should run better than it did last year, but I will of course keep a close eye on that. I thank Kate Forbes MSP and Ian Blackford MP, who have raised this issue with me consistently since I came into post.

Will the Minister advise what long-term decisions are being made to ensure that we invest in our fleet of ferry vessels, so that all coastal communities are served?

Transport Scotland publishes an annual vessel replacement and deployment plan, which looks at a programme of vessel retention and cascades information about acquisitions and disposals. However, the general point that the member has raised is an important one. It is, of course, this Government’s successful introduction and roll-out of road equivalent tariff that has brought more tourists to the islands, which is a great success story. There are limitations, because we have a slightly ageing fleet of vessels, but we are taking steps to upgrade the fleet. We know that we have two hybrid vessels coming in 2018 that will be of great use across the ferry network. However, the member’s general point is well made.