THE port operator with control over Greenock's main maritime assets has been slammed by Scotland's national ferries operator for leaving a key west coast site in a 'sub-standard' condition - despite receiving more than £15 million in fees over the last decade.
Caledonian MacBrayne has claimed that a 'lack of investment' by Clydeport - part of the Peel Ports Group - has put the safe operation of ferry services from Ardrossan at risk due to the 'continuing deterioration' of the harbour's berths.
In a response to a parliamentary petition calling for Clydeport to be nationalised, lodged last year by the Inverclyde Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock, Duncan Mackison, CalMac's interim chief executive, said the current state of Ardrossan Harbour was 'all the more unacceptable' given that his company had shelled out around £15.5m in the past ten years for use of the berths.
Mr Mackison, who stepped up to the role following the recent resignation of predecessor Robbie Drummond, said Gourock-based CalMac 'does not hold a view' on ownership patterns of ports and harbours and insisted that they are focused first and foremost on the proper maintenance of the onshore infrastructure which is essential for vessels and passengers.
His written submission said: "The facilities at Ardrossan have not been maintained to an acceptable standard.
"There has been a continuing deterioration in the condition of both berths (Arran and Irish berths) over many years, brought about by a lack of investment in the maintenance of this piece of critical infrastructure.
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"Not only does this create greater levels of risk for the safe operation of the service, but it also gives a very poor image to customers from around the world who are visiting Arran."
The CalMac boss highlighted 'numerous issues' in recent years at Ardrossan, including the closure of the reserve Irish berth and the relocation of additional sailings to Troon.
Mr Mackison added: "Whatever ownership arrangement is in place for harbours and ports on the Clyde and across the entire Clyde and Hebrides network, CalMac requests that the owners are required to maintain these vital pieces of infrastructure to a high standard and fit for purpose."
Robert Buirds, secretary of the Inchgreen campaign, said the group welcomes CalMac's contribution, as its petition - which has gained more than 1,500 signatures - gathers momentum.
Likening the situation in North Ayrshire to that in Inverclyde, Mr Buirds said: "The submission highlights the lack of investment over the years from Peel regarding Ardrossan Harbour and the poor state of repair.
"The campaign has rightly claimed that Peel Ports never make investments on the Clyde unless the public purse is available to plunder.
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"Peel Ports must be removed from Inchgreen and the Clyde and politicians must stop their plunder of our public purse."
Peel Ports said that Ardrossan is 'safe and effective' for the vessels that should be using the facilities, saying there have not been any cancellations at the Arran berth in recent history because of maintenance issues, unless it has been scheduled work to 'address damage caused by CalMac'.
A Peel Ports spokesman said: “We’ve been very clear on our position here and have invested millions of pounds at Ardrossan in recent years, some of which we had to do as a direct consequence of damage by CalMac’s vessels.
“We’ve also invested a further £2m on the upgrade project and we are willing to spend even more, if only the Scottish Government and CalMac would agree on the specification and the business case so we can proceed, which we have been waiting for, for many years.
"We’ve invested more than £500,000 in the Irish berth alone in the last five years. Despite that, the damage from its inappropriate use and overuse by CalMac means it is no longer viable to maintain it safely.
"Since 2022 we’ve carried out refurbishment works on the Arran berth including pulleys, ropes and gearing being replaced, repairs to flotation tanks, hinges and vital mechanics and aesthetic improvements, too, such as painting.
"There has been continued damage to the fenders, due to use by CalMac vessels, that we have had to repair. Generally, these should have a lifespan of 10-15 years but we have had to replace them much more frequently, as recently as a few weeks ago."
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