EU probe on Scottish Ferries

A European Commission inquiry could result in Scotland's ferry services to outlying islands being taken over by private operators and their least profitable routes shelved an expert warned. These comments were made as the EU Transport Commissioner commenced his inquiry with a visit to Edinburgh.

The move came after complaints that subsidies to the state-owned companies, Northlink Ferries and Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries had breached EU competition law. Both ferry companies are part of the Scottish Government-owned David MacBrayne Group. The EU transport commissioner stressed that investigations would not threaten the future of the services.

Of biggest concern to these outlying rural communities is that the EU will demand a break up of the more than 20 routes currently served by Caledonian MacBrayne and NorthLink with the most profitable 'cherry picked' by larger ferry operators. Fears then exist for the low cost ferry tickets which Islanders have taken advantage of and maintain an essential lifeline to mainland Scotland.