CalMac, Serco in the Final Run for Scottish Ferry Deal
Image Courtesy: CalMacScottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) and UK’s Serco Caledonian Ferries have submitted final bids for a GBP 1 billion (USD 1.4 billion) Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract.
The CHFS contract, which covers 26-routes, is for providing ferry services during a period of eight years in the west coast ferry network.
The deal was put out to tender in 2015 and is expected to be awarded to the winning bidder in May 2016.
CalMac and Serco have passed the pre-qualification stage of the process and were invited to submit tenders for the next CHFS contract, which will run from October 1, 2016.
CalMac, which currently operates the ferry services to Shetland and Orkney, was awarded the contract in 2012.
“The Scottish government will provide up to GBP 1 billion of funding to support the enhancement and development of these services, in addition to fares revenue. It will also ensure that Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) continues to be applied on CHFS routes, bringing significantly reduced fares for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches and helping to support local communities and the tourist industry,” Scottish Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay, earlier said.
World Maritime News Staff
