Ferry contract postponed

An announcement on the winning bidder of the new North Uist / Harris ferry has been delayed.

Tenders from competing shipyards were lodged by Tuesday.

Scottish Government company, CMAL, is ordering the vessels and will lease them out to the operator of the west coast ferry network, presently Cal Mac Ferries.

But a planned announcement has been postponed until after the general election on May 7.

The delay is thought to be due to a requirement for a pre-election freeze on government departments signing large procurement contracts.

New ferry building contract postponed

2 April 2015

Though the election is for Westminster, the Scottish Government has agreed to the so-called purdah period which is designed to avoid making any significant policy or public statements which could influence the ballot box chances of any political party.

The successful shipyard will undertake detailed design and construction work of two combined passenger, freight and car ferries of 100 metres length overall, as well as testing, equipping, launch and delivery.

Two years from the date of the signed deal is allocated to deliver both ships. The first vessel is expected off the blocks by the end of 2017 with her sister following some months later.

Port Glasgow’s rescued ship-builder, Fergusons, is pitching for the order but rivals in the UK, Germany and Turkey are understood to be also interested in the work.

Fergusons - which was bought out of administration in September, could expand its workforce from around 100 employees to 400 if it is successful.

A CMAL spokesperson said responses were lodged at the end of March “with a view to awarding the contract late spring 2015.”

The present intention is to use one on the Skye - Tarbert - Lochmaddy run in 2018.

The other is earmarked to operate on the Arran route.

The present ships, MV Hebrides and MV Caledonian Isles, would be transferred to other island routes.

Engines able to maintain a regular speed of 16.5 knots through the open sea is a stipulation of the contract.

The ships are expected to be fitted with twin LNG dual-fuelled engines and driving controllable pitch propellers through gearboxes.

Up to 1,000 passengers will be accommodated, with each car deck designed to take up to 127 cars or, alternatively, 16 artic lorries.