Commencing 1 October 2025 the new arrangements will see almost GBP 4 billion of public funding invested in the CHFS over a 10-year period, with the delivery of these services continuing to evolve to better reflect local needs for more reliable and robust ferry links.

Commenting on the new deal Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "The new CHFS arrangements fundamentally change the ethos of the service from a commercial arrangement to a model fully focussed on delivering a public service for Scotland's island and rural communities.

"Island communities have long called for better resilience and reliability of ferry services. This new contract will enable us to deliver those improvements with significant investment in new vessels, increased services on the Sound of Barra and services on the secondary Arran route across this winter.

"Both routes will also benefit from the recruitment of additional CalMac crew to support enhanced operations and community interests for a more robust service."

Duncan Mackison, CEO of CalMac said: "The spirit in which CalMac wants and intends to work with west coast communities is reflected in this new contract, and creates a framework for us to operate ferry services which are safe, reliable, sustainable, accessible, and better integrated with other transport providers.

"We acknowledge that there have been challenges in recent years but we're fully invested in continuing to drive up standards and delivering for the communities we serve. With a dozen new vessels on the way, we expect our capability to help island communities to thrive to continue to improve rapidly in the next few year."

Meanwhile, Kevin Hobbs, CEO of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the company responsible for contracting the new ferries to be operated by CalMac has updated the Scottish parliament on the delivery dates for the four RoPax sister ships building at Turkish shipbuilder Cemre.

In a letter dated 30 September to Edward Mountain, Convener, Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Scottish Parliament, said that the lead ship in the four vessel series, ISLE OF ISLAY Newbuilding No. 1092 at Cemre), has successfully completed sea trials and will be delivered in November. Following taking on stores in Turkey the ferry will undertake a two-week delivery voyage to the west coast of Scotland, with a stop for bunkers in Gibraltar. Following arrival in Scotland extensive port trials will take place before the ferry enters service to Islay.

Following the delivery of ISLE OF ISLAY, the remaining three vessels – LOCH INDAAL (Newbuilding No. 1093), LOCHMOR (Newbuilding No.1100) and CLAYMORE (Newbuilding No.1101) will follow at six-month intervals.