Transport Scotland - Costs of chartering third party vessels by CalMac: FOI release

Information requested

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request the following information concerning chartering of third‑party vessels by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) or organisations acting on its behalf, for support of the ferry network, for the period from financial year 2014/15 to present (or most recent year possible).

1. All charter agreements entered into since 2014/15 for vessels not owned by CalMac or its subsidiaries, but chartered from external companies (private sector or otherwise) to support regular or contingency ferry network services. For each such charter agreement, please provide:

1a. Vessel name and type (e.g. passenger / freight / ro‑ro / catamaran)

1b. Company or entity chartered from (owner / operator)

1c. Date(s) of charter (start & end)

1d. Purpose of charter (e.g. relief, emergency cover, freight capacity, seasonal demand, breakdown cover, etc.)

1e. Total cost to CalMac or to the funding body (including charter fee, associated fuel/crewing / docking / maintenance / any other relevant charges)

1f. Any advance estimated cost and any variation to that cost (if known)

2. From the above, identify the five most expensive charters (by total cost) and provide all details as per 1(a)–(f) for those five.

3. If possible, for each of those five top charters, provide copies of or access to the contract documents / charter agreements which would include duration, cost structure, penalties, obligations etc.

Response

Vessel name and type (e.g. passenger / freight / ro‑ro / catamaran)

Information provided in full (see Appendix 1 attached).

Company or entity chartered from (owner / operator)

Information provided in full (see Appendix 1 attached).

Date(s) of charter (start & end)

Information provided in full (see Appendix 1 attached).

Purpose of charter (e.g. relief, emergency cover, freight capacity, seasonal demand, breakdown cover, etc.

Information provided in full (see Appendix 1 attached).

Total cost to CalMac or to the funding body (including charter fee, associated fuel / crewing / docking / maintenance / any other relevant charges)

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 17 of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), the Scottish Government does not hold such financial information, other than for the charter of MV Alfred. With regard to MV Alfred charter costs, under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. This Information is available from the Scottish Government Parliamentary website at the following link: Written question and answer: S6W-40538 | Scottish Parliament Website. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Any advance estimated cost and any variation to that cost (if known)

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 17 of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), the Scottish Government does not hold such financial information, other than for the charter of MV Alfred. With regard to MV Alfred charter costs, under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. This Information is available from the Scottish Government Parliamentary website at the following link: Written question and answer: S6W-40538 | Scottish Parliament Website. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

From the above, identify the five most expensive charters (by total cost) and provide all details as per 1(a)–(f) for those five.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 17 of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), the Scottish Government does not hold financial information to identify the five most expensive charters. However, you may wish to direct your enquiry to CalMac Ferries Limited who may be able to help you. They can be contacted via email at enquiries@calmac.co.uk.

If possible, for each of those five top charters, provide copies of or access to the contract documents / charter agreements which would include duration, cost structure, penalties, obligations etc.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 33 (1)(b) of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), releasing this information would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of the companies from which CalMac chartered these vessels.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500488067 - Information Released - Appendix 1

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