CV and LGV block bookings terms & conditions

These Block Booking Terms apply to any application made to CalMac Ferries Limited (“CFL”) for CV and LGV Block Bookings in respect of regular journeys on vessels in the service of CFL (the “Block Booking Service”).  

1. These Block Booking Terms must be read in conjunction with CFL’s standard conditions of carriage (accessed via this link Opens in new windowhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/conditions-of-carriage), which will apply in addition to these Block Booking Terms in relation to any booking made using the Block Booking Service (any such booking being referred to below as a “Block Booking”).  If there is any conflict between the two sets of terms, the provision contained in these Block Booking Terms shall apply.  

2. When applying to make a Block Booking during a particular timetable period, the customer must complete and sign the application form that accompanies these Block Booking Terms. Scheduling will then be coordinated with the relevant port team. Block Bookings remain subject to availability and CFL cannot guarantee that all applications will be fulfilled.   

3. Once confirmed, Block Bookings will, subject to the remainder of these Block Booking Terms, be valid for the duration of the relevant CFL winter or summer timetable period. Block Bookings will not automatically transfer into another timetable period.    

4. At times of significant timetable change it may be necessary to reassess Block Bookings to take account of reduced capacity or service availability. Situations where this may occur include (without limitation): the need to accommodate dry dock annual maintenance programmes; vessel redeployment; livestock sales; and port project work. Whilst CFL will use its reasonable endeavours to minimise the need for any such reassessment, CFL reserves the right on notice and without liability to the customer, to remove any affected Block Bookings.  

5. It is the customer's responsibility to cancel Block Bookings in line with any decrease in demand. The customer must notify CFL immediately after becoming aware that a Block Booking is no longer required.   

6. The customer is required to maintain a minimum Block Booking utilisation rate of 80%. CFL will monitor the customer’s utilisation of Block Bookings and where records show that the above utilisation rate is not being met, CFL reserves the right on notice and without liability to the customer, to reduce or remove Block Bookings to reflect actual usage. Utilisation will be reviewed on a monthly basis. 

7. The customer is required to confirm each Block Booking or notify CFL of any cancellation of a Block Booking in each case by 2pm on the day prior to the scheduled departure of the relevant sailing. The frequency of late cancellations and amendments will be actively monitored and if the Customer fails to comply with this requirement on more than two occasions in any calendar month, CFL reserves the right on notice and without liability to the customer, to remove the customer’s Block Bookings for future sailings as necessary to reflect actual usage.  

8. Latest check in times, as shown in each CFL timetable, must be strictly adhered to. Subject to any cancellation or amendment validly notified to CFL in accordance with Condition 7, failure to comply with any relevant latest check in time may result in the customer’s vehicle being refused carriage and the customer being charged a no-show fee equal to 100% of the relevant Block Booking ticket price.   

9. All vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes GVM must be fitted with lashing points in compliance with the Dept. of Transport’s “Opens in new windowRo/Ro Ships – Stowage and Securing of Vehicles – Code of Practice” and must produce a written declaration of the Gross Vehicle Weight and description of load at time of shipment.   

10. Vehicles carrying Dangerous Goods (as defined by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) will only be carried by prior arrangement and must be declared to the port of departure at least 24 hrs prior to the scheduled departure time of the vessel on which the Block Booking is made. All vehicles carrying Dangerous Goods, are required to be accompanied by a Dangerous Goods note for inspection on arrival at the port. 

11. Vehicles with diesel driven machinery (Fridge Vans, Viviers, etc) travelling on routes served by closed vehicle deck ships (MV Caledonian Isles, MV Isle of Lewis and MV Isle of Mull)  must be capable of running off the vessel’s electrical supply of 415v 3 phase or be prepared to switch off machinery for the duration of the voyage if requested to do so. Customers must check CFL’s service updates page or check with ports for changes to vessel deployments that may impact on this requirement.    

12. Failure to comply with any specified payment terms will constitute misuse of the Block Booking Service and may result in the removal of all Block Bookings and withdrawal of any associated credit facility provided in accordance with CFL’s Credit Account Terms and Conditions, accessible using the following link - Opens in new windowCredit account Terms and Conditions.    

13. Block Bookings are allocated exclusively for use by the named account holder and where expressly agreed in advance with CFL, their subcontractors. Authorised subcontractors may only use the space allocated under a Block Booking if the account holder has contacted the port of departure in advance to request such use and has received confirmation of approval. Responsibility for liaising with the port lies solely with the account holder. Under no circumstances may any Block Booking space be transferred or offered to any third party. Failure to comply with this condition will constitute misuse of the Block Booking Service and may result in the removal of all Block Bookings and refusal of future access to the Block Booking Service.  

14. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the port of departure is provided with all necessary information, including purchase order details, vehicle or trailer registration, and the driver’s name. CFL cannot guarantee that such information will be captured for each individual booking. 

15. In addition to any specific rights that CFL may have under the Conditions concerned, a customer’s repeated failure to comply with any of Conditions 6, 7, 8, 13 or 14 of these Block Booking Terms will constitute serious misuse of the Block Booking Service in response to which CFL shall be entitled, on notice and without liability to the customer, to remove all Block Bookings and withdraw future access to the Block Booking Service.

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