The next contract to operate the Northern Isles Ferry Services will be awarded to Serco NorthLink Ferries by the end of March.
Transport Scotland announced yesterday that it had completed discussions about state aid. CalMac Ferries has also withdrawn its legal action.
Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse said:
“I’m very pleased these issues have been resolved so that we can now start to focus on the award of the new contract and the benefits it will bring to the communities that are served by these lifeline ferry services.
“These include customer focused enhancements, such as extra premium cabins, terminal lounge refurbishment at Hatston and extended opening hours for customer services.
“We want to support key sectors of the Northern Isles’ economies, such as tourism, fishing, food and drink, aquaculture and farming. With these sectors in mind, the new contract will also include the flexibility to allow timetabled freight and ferry services to be amended to better reflect changes in future demand.
“All these improvements, coupled with the three year fares freeze and cabin discounts that came into effect on the first of January, underline the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing high quality ferry links to and from the Northern Isles.”
MSP Gail Ross welcomed the news saying: “I am relieved to see that the legal action in relation to the contract for the Northern Isles ferry service has been withdrawn and that a new contract will be awarded soon.”
“The service from both Aberdeen and Scrabster to the Northern Isles is a vital part of our transport infrastructure, for tourists and locals alike and is crucial for the future success of our rural economy. I welcome this news from the Scottish Government and I look forward to seeing what the new contract will bring to the service.”
