Ferguson still in contention to build seven new CalMac ferries
The Port Glasgow yard is through to the next round of bidding
The Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow is through to the second round of bidding for a deal to build seven small, electric-powered ferries for CalMac.
The only other British yard on the shortlist for the expected £175m contact is Cammell Laird on Merseyside.
That's despite Ferguson missing the latest deadline to deliver the long-delayed MV Glen Sannox, which has undergone sea trials but needs parts replaced before it can be handed over to its owners, CMAL.
The first stage of the competitive tender process assessed shipyards interested in bidding for the contract against specific criteria including facilities, capacities and capabilities to take on the project.
The six firms selected also include a yard in Turkey which is currently building four ships which will serve Islay and the Western Isles.
- Ferguson Marine (Commercial) Ltd (UK)
- Cammell Laird (UK)
- Asenav S.A. (Chile)
- Cemre Marin Endustri A.S (Turkey)
- Damen Offshore & Specialised Vessels. (Multinational)
- Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. (Poland)
Decision early next year
The tender returns are expected by January 2025, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025.
READ MORE: 10% increase in CalMac fares
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie said: “Our intention is that these ferries would be deployed on seven existing routes, but would also bring benefits to two other routes from the redeployment of existing vessels. The new vessels will also be electric, helping us to deliver a significant improvement in emissions and local air quality and taking us towards a lower carbon ferry network.
Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive at CMAL, said: “We received interest from many shipyards across the world, and carried out a robust assessment against set criteria, including their suitability to take on this project.
“Six shipyards scored the highest across the criteria, and have now been issued an ITT for the contract. We look forward to reviewing the tender documents in the new year, and delivering the electric vessels which will continue our rejuvenation of the fleet and shore infrastructure for island communities.”
CalMac fleet facts
MV Glen Sannox launch
Perhaps the most infamous ferry in Scotland, MV Glen Sannox was launched by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow in November 2017. The yard won the contract to build two ferries which could be powered by either regular marine diesel fuel or LNG. Five years later the ship has yet to enter service and the yard has been nationalised after falling into administration amid a row with the Scottish Government about the delays and escalating cost of the project.
MV Glen Sannox delays
MV Glen Sannox is intended to become the main ferry for the service between Ardrossan and Brodick on the Isle of Arran. A sister ship - as-yet unnamed - will operate in the Western Isles. The vessels are more than five years late and will cost £250m - more than twice their original budget. The ship has required extensive remedial work including alterations to the hull and replacement of the original electrictal cables which were found to be too short. It is expected to be in service in summer 2023.
Busiest route
CalMac's busiest route is the crossing between Largs and Cumbrae Slip in the Firth of Clyde, which in summer operates every 15 minutes, although drivers can be forced to wait in queues of more than an hour at the busiest times. In 2021 it carried 175,000 vehicles and 619,000 passengers.
Oldest vessel
CalMac's least-busy route is a summer-only service between Ardrossan and Campbeltown in Kintrye, which carried just 8,427 passengers in 2021. It is operated by the firm's oldest ship, MV Isle of Arran, which was launched in Troon in 1983.
Passengers only
CalMac operates the passenger-only service between Dunoon and Gourock. For many years the route also carried vehicles but there was long-standing controversy with claims of unfair public subsidy against a rival private operator. The service can be vulnerable to poor weather conditions relying on lighter vessels such as the catamaran Ali Cat.
Battery power
For the last decade CalMac has made the first moves to reduce the carbon emissions of its fleet with the introduction of three hybrid ferries which can operate on battery or diesel power. They were constructed at the Ferguson yard in Port Glasgow and operate some of the shortest crossings on the network
Private rival
There are ferry services which are not run by CalMac. The privately-owned Western Ferries operates between McInroy's Point (near Gourock) and Hunter's Quay (near Dunoon) on a turn-up-and-go service using up to four vessels at one time.
Foreign-built ships
Until the recent Ferguson scandal CalMac's newest and largest ships had been built by foreign yards, including the MV Finglaggan, launched by the Remontowa yard in Poland in 2010 to serve Islay.
Capacity issues
Since 2016 The introduction of the cheaper RET fares structure - linked to the cost to drive the same distance by road - and increasing popularlity of 'staycation' and campervan touring - is linked to increasing pressure on routes to the most popular islands, with sailings booked-up weeks in advance.
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