CalMac’s current contract to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network will be extended for a year, Transport Scotland announced today (Thursday May 30).
The Scottish Government’s preferred procurement route for the next CHFS contract remains a direct award to CalMac. While good progress has been made on the comprehensive due diligence work associated with that approach, there are a number of complex issues still being considered before a final decision can be made.
The additional 12 months will allow this work to be completed, Transport Scotland says, while also providing a degree of certainty to staff and ferry user communities.
Fiona Hyslop said: “While good progress has been made on the due diligence related to a proposed direct award to CalMac, it will not be possible to conclude all of the processes by September 30, which is the end date of the current contract.
“We have made arrangements to extend the existing contract for 12 months. This will allow the due diligence process to robustly conclude and, subject to the outcome of that process, a final decision to be made on a direct contract award.
“I will provide a further update to Parliament later this year on progress and on timings for decision-making within the extended period.”
