THE Scottish Government has announced it will directly award CalMac Ferries the next contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Transport minister Fiona Hyslop confirmed the publicly-owned CalMac would be directly awarded the contract in what she said is a “positive change” away from commercial arrangements.
She added that CalMac will continue discussions with staff, island residents, businesses and communities to make sure it meets the needs of locals.
Confirming the decision when responding to a Parliamentary Question on Thursday, Hyslop said: “I am pleased to announce that Scottish Ministers have confirmed that a direct award of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract should be made to CalMac Ferries Limited.
“This direct award fundamentally changes the ethos of the service by shifting from a commercial arrangement to a model more focused on the delivery of a public service engaged on the particular needs of the communities it serves.
“I fully expect the direct award to be a catalyst for positive change across the Clyde and Hebrides network, based on a more efficient, flexible model of delivery that fully reflects community interests.
“Discussions will continue with staff, island residents, businesses and communities and trade unions on the arrangements to ensure the services can best meet local needs and wants.”
The Scottish Government said it intends to invest more than £530 million in the coming year to support and enhance ferry services across the country.
There are also plans by the Scottish Government to deliver six new vessels to serve the country’s island communities from 2025.
MV Glen Sannox was the first of the new vessels planned to replace CalMac’s aging fleet which came into service in January this year.
Hyslop added: “The CHFS3 arrangements include improvements, such as a new Benefits Realisation Plan, new and revised Key Performance Indicators, enhanced monitoring and reporting, greater regionalisation through dedicated Area Managers and increased stakeholder engagement.
“Ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders will be essential in supporting us to achieve a more reliable and robust service.
“Alongside our ongoing investment in infrastructure and an additional twelve new vessels for the network this will improve the overall resilience and capacity of these services, as set out in the recently published Islands Connectivity Plan.
“Transport Scotland is now working closely with CalMac Ferries Limited on the necessary arrangements for the commencement of the new contract on 1 October 2025. I will ensure that Parliament is kept up to date on progress with those new arrangements.”
