Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services
The tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services started in October 2005 when the previous administration published adverts in the Official Journal of the European Union and other publication and procurement outlets, seeking expressions of interest from potential operators.
The previous administration issued the Invitation to Tender on 14 December 2006 to two operators, CalMac Ferries Limited and V-Ships. However, V-Ships subsequently withdrew from the tender process on 29 January 2007 leaving CalMac Ferries Ltd as the sole bidder. The European Union's maritime legislation and State aid rules mean that we had to complete this tendering exercise to put our ferry subsidy arrangements on a sound basis. The new arrangement, for the first time, introduces a robust contractual arrangement for provision of the services.
The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services - Invitation to Tender can be viewed here:-
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/18100005/0
CalMac Ferries Ltd submitted their bid by the closing date of 11 May 2007. The evaluation of their bid was rigorous and thorough and followed two strands - technical and financial. Officials carried out the evaluation with support from external maritime, financial and legal consultants. The bid was fully compliant, robust and technically acceptable and provided value for money. Overall their bid demonstrated the company's ability to continue to deliver the lifeline ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides area.
The new contract runs from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2013 and provides for:
• Extending the double vessel service to Islay that has, in the past, operated during the peak summer season so that it covers the whole summer timetable period
• An improved winter timetable for Gigha
• An additional Friday evening and a Saturday evening sailing between Oban and Craignure on Mull during the winter
• An additional daily return sailing on the Ardrossan - Brodick route during the winter
• An additional sailing each week between Oban and Coll/Tiree between late October and Christmas
• The introduction of a performance regime intended to incentivise the operator to deliver the services to the standards laid down in the contract
A copy of the Public Service Contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac Ferries Ltd can be viewed by clicking here.