About Us
Until 1 October 2006, Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd provided the majority of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and owned the associated vessels and a number of the harbour facilities. That company was wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. These services required an annual revenue deficit grant from the Scottish Executive to maintain lifeline service levels.
In order to comply with European guidelines on State Aids in Maritime Transport, an open public tender was deemed necessary in respect of these ferry services. The then Scottish Executive tendered the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) as a single bundle, with the exception of the Gourock-Dunoon service.
In recognition of the uniqueness of the fleet and in order to ensure a level playing field for all bidders on 1 October 2006 Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd was split into an asset-owning company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), and a new operating company, CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). This was done by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd transferring its operations (but not its assets) to CFL. Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, now CMAL continues to own all vessels and land-based assets (ports, harbours, etc) and makes them available to an Operator through an open tendering process. From 01 October 2007 CalMac Ferries Limited continues to operate the services having won the tendering process with their bid. Under the terms of the tender CFL is bound to use the vessels of CMAL.
The primary responsibilities of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. are as follows:
- Vessels – The ownership, maintenance and replacement as necessary of the fleet of vessels. It will implement and manage newly drafted vessel charter agreements with the operator appointed by the Executive.
- Piers and Harbours – The ownership, management and maintenance of piers, harbours, buildings and associated infrastructure. For this purpose, it will implement and oversee newly drafted Harbour Access and Operation Agreements with the appointed operators.
- Harbour Authority – All operations, public safety, environmental and other statutory responsibilities of the harbour authority at its own harbours.
- Brand – the ownership, safeguarding and ‘licensing’ of the Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. brand and other registered trademarks.
- Pension Scheme – ensuring that the company meets its obligations in respect of the pension rights of employees past and present, including continuing to act as Principal Employer of the existing Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd Pension Fund following the transfer of operations to CFL.
The various leases and agreements will run for periods of 6 years in parallel with the ferry service contracts issued by the Executive to the appointed operators.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s main strategic objective is to
“Provide efficient, cost effective and safe vessels, harbours and associated port infrastructure for operators, communities and users in and around Scotland and, through consultation and involvement of all stakeholders and robust strategic planning, advise Scottish Ministers on future developments and improvements.”
