CalMac given direct award of £3.9bn west coast ferry routes contract

Ferry operator CalMac has been given a direct award of the contract for routes on the west coast, in what the Government says will cause a “change of ethos” for the service.

It means that rather than a competitive tender process, the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract will go straight to the publicly-owned operator.

While unions have welcomed the move, concerns have been raised about accountability for promises to improve services.

It is the first time a direct award has been granted for the ferries contract and it is expected to last 10 years at a cost of £3.9 billion.

Island communities have long complained of unreliable ferry services and the Scottish Government had pledged to introduce six new major vessels into the network from 2025.

The first of these, the long-awaited Glen Sannox, began carrying passengers in January.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the direct award on Thursday.

The Government had previously indicated its preferred option was a direct award.

Ms Hyslop said: “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.”

Transport Scotland said there would be regular performance reviews in the ferry contract.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said: “This is a tremendous victory not just for our members on CalMac ferries but also for the island communities who are best served by lifeline ferries that are in public ownership.

“The Scottish Government has made the right decision and now the union will work with all stakeholders to ensure that CalMac ferries are affordable, well-resourced and reward seafarers properly for their work going forward.”

Opposition parties said the SNP had failed to invest in the ferry fleet.

Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: “While this announcement provides continuity, the bottom line is that CalMac will continue to carry the can for the SNP’s dire mismanagement of the ferry network.

“Islanders have been betrayed by the SNP time and time again, and any ferry provider is only as good as the fleet it has to work with.”

Liberal Democrat West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said: “The big concern people have with this direct award is that without a competitive tender process, there is no way to hold the incumbent operator to account on its many promises to improve services.

“The entire network desperately needs new ferries and faces endless disruption due to technical faults and cancellations.

“The SNP rarely ever consult islanders and businesses on what’s best for them or what they want, as evidenced by the changes introduced to the Cumbrae route.”