New cargo restrictions looming problem for CalMac, councillor says

Under new Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) rules, DGs, including diesel, petrol, butane and propane, cannot be transported on CalMac’s new vessels when they are at full capacity. 

Instead, the passenger numbers are restricted to whichever is greater out of 25 or one passenger per three metres of ferry.

Both recently delivered ferries, the MV Glen Sannox, serving Arran, and MV Isle of Islay, serving Islay, are the only in service vessels affected by the rule.

Old vessels in the fleet are not affected by the rule change.

Fuels such as these are essential for island life, and when they are delivered on these new vessels, they essentially cancel an entire sailing. 

Councillor Alastair Redman worries that this poses a future crisis for CalMac’s capacity. 

He submitted an FOI (Freedom of Information Request) to CalMac which confirmed his fears that the MV Isle of Islay would be affected by these new rules.

Redman said: "Our island communities rely on ferries not as a luxury, but as a lifeline. The idea that a brand-new vessel could actually reduce flexibility and capacity when carrying essential goods such as petrol, diesel, paraffin oil, heating fuels and Calor gas is deeply concerning.

"We are effectively being asked to accept a step backwards. That cannot be right.

"This creates a two-tier system where the level of service depends entirely on which vessel turns up. That is no way to run a reliable and resilient ferry network.”

He added: "This is not just a technical issue—it has real consequences for people and businesses across our communities. Farmers, crofters, fishermen and tradesmen all depend on the reliable movement of fuel, gas, and essential materials.

"Restricting the transport of key supplies places additional strain on already fragile supply chains and will inevitably drive up costs locally.”

This summer, just 0.3 per cent of sailings will be affected. But what happens, he says, when all the old guard are replaced?

“As more of the older vessels are retired, there is a real danger that these restrictions become the standard across the fleet. If that happens, it will create serious and ongoing problems for island communities," Redman said.

This is a problem looming decades down the line, but for now, CalMac says it is exploring its options to reduce disruption.