CMAL CEO Kevin Hobbs has called for ferry investment in Scotland to become a continuous programme rather than a series of stop-start investment cycles.
With new vessels entering service, seven electric ferries under construction and further projects progressing, CMAL expects half of the Clyde and Hebrides fleet to be renewed by the end of the decade. Once the vessels currently under construction enter service, the average fleet age should fall below 15 years.
Hobbs stresses that maintaining this momentum requires long-term planning. A ferry typically takes around five years from concept design to entering service, meaning vessels required beyond 2030 need to be planned and procured now.
The same approach is needed for ports, with continuous investment required for maintenance, shore power, electrification and future decarbonisation.
Read Kevin Hobbs’ full perspective:
From the Helm: Maintaining Momentum Through Continuous Investment (Linkedin)