MacBrayne Group operates ferry services in the North and West of Scotland

MacBrayne 'welcomes' EU probe into ferry services
Calmac and Northlink operators issue statement after EU decides to investigate allegations...

David MacBrayne Ltd today (Wednesday, April 16) welcomed the confirmation that the European Commission has decided to open a formal investigation into issues surrounding subsidy support received from the Scottish Government. The David MacBrayne Group includes NorthLink Ferries Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd, and provides Clyde & Hebrides, Gourock - Dunoon and Northern Isles ferry services.

David MacBrayne Group Chairman Peter Timms said: “We will be happy to cooperate fully with this investigation and will help the Scottish Government to provide the Commission with all the information required to meet the aims of the investigation.”

“We fully understand the issues involved and that the Commission requires more information to check that the mechanisms used in recent years do not fall foul of funding rules. We also welcome the confirmation that the EU investigators are aware of the importance of lifeline ferry routes to the many isolated communities in Scotland that our group companies serve.

"It has always been our first priority to maintain and develop the services to the communities we serve, and hopefully this investigation will clarify any outstanding issues which remain about the way these services are funded and how we operate.”

The statement follows the EU announcement that after complaints received alleging unfair competition the EU Commission would probe into whether or not the Scottish Government's subsidies breach EU laws.

Critics of Calmac have long held the view that private operators are at a disadvantage due to the state-owned firm being subsidised and accuse the company of distorting the market for ferry services in Scotland.