The Scottish Government has initiated the procurement process for seven new electric ferries to enhance the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network and support island communities, according to a press release.
This first stage will evaluate if interested shipyards meet the necessary financial and technical criteria.
The estimated cost for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP) is around £175 million, covering the seven new vessels, port improvements, and shore power upgrades. The invitation to tender is expected to be issued in September 2024, with the contract anticipated to be awarded by March 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop emphasised the importance of this initiative: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to improving our ferry fleet to better meet the needs of island communities, so I’m very pleased to see the procurement process for seven new small vessels get underway today.”
Hyslop added that these ferries would serve seven existing routes and benefit two additional routes through the redeployment of current vessels, impacting around 30% of car and passenger carryings on the Clyde and Hebrides network.
The new ferries will be electric, contributing to reduced emissions and improved local air quality, advancing towards a lower carbon ferry network. “This procurement is a vital step forward in our plans to improve our ferry services and I look forward to following its progress closely over the coming months,” Hyslop said.
Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive Officer at Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), welcomed the progress: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to progress the SVRP. What matters for us is being able to move forward with our plans to improve the fleet with new vessels. This is great news for island communities, and we look forward to delivering the all-electric lifeline vessels over the coming years.”
I appreciate they may cost a little more, but I do hope there is a yard in the UK able to submit a good quality tender.
And if it is a little more than abroad, and promises not to be as delayed as the current Fergusons debacle, that sligh extra cost is outweighed by wider societal good of keeping people in work, skills up to date and costs with uk
Do they come fitted with CIWS?
No, but fitted for but not with…… 😋
Personally I think they need more than 7 more.
Plenty more work for Turkey then whilst a load of deluded and hypocritical SNP types will continue to harp on about how unsupportive Westminster is of the shipbuilding industry. FFS!!!
Harland and wolff anyone?
Oh no, not again. The Gosport Ferry is the Dogs, leave it at that.
More money thrown away
Exactly how will they be charged up…big diesel generators at the port? New wind turbines? Or gas power station. So very green.
AA
Not by wind, anyway. The present capacity is all spoken for and can only be used once.
What’s your problem with wind turbines? Scotland’s electricity infrastructure has been revolutionised, very positively, by wind power.
Why the Scottish government paying why not mcbraynes
Going by the SNP record better be prepared for the 7 new electric ferries to cost a minimum of £1,750,000,000 yes 1 thousand seven hundred and fifty million PLUS AND at least 12 years delivery delay.
Let’s not mention Westminster’s debacle with HS2 will we?
Award the contracts fairly & correctly. We do not want another ferry fiasco or the embarrassment
When is Dunoon getting new calmac ferries
Has this got anything to do with defence?
After seeing this on the news last night, I looked into it and found out that Norway has electric ferries, but they were built in Türkiye, so it doesn’t hold out much hope for Ferguson Marine?
I think the air round the coast is fresh enough as it is.