Deal agreed to take Ardrossan harbour into public ownership

The Scottish government’s agency responsible for ferries and ports is set to take Ardrossan Harbour into public ownership, with the deal expected to be finalized this month, according to the transport secretary. Fiona Hyslop confirmed that negotiations between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which is wholly government-owned, and Peel Ports, the current harbour owner, have now come to a conclusion.

The purchase has become necessary because new CalMac ferries ordered for the Arran route by CMAL are too large to safely dock at the existing harbour facilities, which require significant redevelopment. Hyslop described the negotiations as “complex” but emphasized that the acquisition will yield “wider benefits” to ferry services in the longer term. She also mentioned that a “shareholder directive” had to be issued to CMAL’s board in order to complete the transaction.

In Parliament, Hyslop outlined the government’s plans for the harbour, stressing its continued role as the primary ferry terminal connecting the mainland to Arran. She said, “This purchase will secure the port in public ownership to allow us to focus on the redevelopment of the facility as the primary mainland port for Arran.” While redevelopment tenders are still to be issued, interim measures are being explored to maintain operations while the MV Caledonian Isles continues to sail from Ardrossan. Additionally, funding will support a two-port service until major refurbishment efforts begin.

Since the introduction of the new ferry Glen Sannox in January, the vessel has had to operate from Troon, some 15 miles away, due to the harbour’s limitations. The Save Ardrossan Harbour campaign has voiced concerns that the town’s local economy has suffered because of reduced footfall, as fewer islanders are travelling to use services such as dentists and garages. The harbour, while offering the quickest and most direct route to Arran, faces challenges due to its shallow depth and layout, which complicate navigation in strong winds. The Glen Sannox measures 102.4 meters in length, exceeding the Arran Berth’s current 97-meter capacity. Redeveloping the harbour to accommodate this, and the forthcoming Glen Rosa ferry, could cost around £80 million. Disagreements between Peel Ports, the Scottish government, and North Ayrshire council have delayed agreements on how the redevelopment expenses should be divided

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