A Labour MSP hit out at the Scottish Government after ferry bosses admitted it will take up to two years to replace batteries on three “green” multi-million-pound ferries.
CalMac has admitted it will take up to two years to replace batteries on the MV Hallaig, the MV Catriona and the MV Lochinvar, which were launched between 2013 and 2016 and already cost £34.4million to build.
It comes as seven more electric ferries have been ordered by government-owned company Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) despite a shortage of power grid capacity to charge them.
We can reveal that it will be 2027 before the MV Catriona – which requires a new £1million battery 10 years after launch – undergoes a replacement.
Meanwhile, the £10million MV Hallaig has been running on polluting diesel since its battery broke in September 2023 but will have to wait until next year for a new one along with the MV Lochinvar.
Scottish Labour Transport spokesperson Claire Baker accused the government of a “shambolic lack of planning” on the ferries.
She said: “Yet more problems are piling up for Scotland’s island communities because of the SNP’s shambolic lack of planning on ferries.
“Scotland deserves a modern, reliable, green ferry fleet – not more SNP chaos and waste.
“The SNP must set out a real shipbuilding plan to ensure we are building the right ships, reducing emissions, protecting taxpayers and delivering reliable services.”
The seven new electric ferries are due to start arriving in 2027 but there are not adequate power grids at some ports for battery recharging.
Alfred Baird, former director of the Maritime Transport Research Group at Napier University, was consulted on the three green ferries and he claimed the total running cost would be 259 per cent more than diesel.
He added “I think we can say with some certainty that there will be significant problems, delays and very high costs associated.”
A CalMac spokeswoman said: “We intend to replace the batteries on our hybrid vessels by April 2027, with two being replaced in 2026, as they have all reached their expected end of life. CalMac, in conjunction with CMAL, started the process to replace the original batteries in October 2022.
However, as the original battery manufacturer for the Hallaig and Lochinvar ceased trading, combined with the advancement of battery technology, sourcing, procuring and designing, a solution has been challenging.
“The total cost of the project is still on track, and inflation has been taken into account.”
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “Significant planning and engagement has been undertaken with electricity providers.”
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