Northern Isles ferry contract to be put out to tender

The next contract to operate the Northern Isles ferry services will put out to tender, Transport Scotland confirmed this afternoon.

The procurement process will get underway in June, with a view to making the award in summer 2019.

Minister for transport and the islands Humza Yousaf said: “We have always said we would take the views of the local community into account when it came to the procurement of the next Northern Isles ferry services contract. Through the consultation process, it’s become clear that the preference of the local communities is for this contract to be put out to tender, rather than a direct award to an in-house operator.

“In addition, the latest correspondence from the European Commission means satisfying European Law for a direct award will take us beyond the currently extended Northern Isles contract.

“As a result, we will start the tender process next month in order to allow enough time to complete this high value and complex procurement, ensuring that communities and businesses have the certainty they need. Delaying this any further would put the continued delivery of ferry services at risk, something I am not prepared to do.”

OIC leader Councillor James Stockan welcomed the announcement.

“I am pleased that the minister has come to a decision, allaying any uncertainty that could have built up around how our lifeline ferry links with the Scottish mainland will be provided in future,” he said.

“I believe the minister has listened to the views put forward on this and responded by announcing that the next contract to provide Northern Isles ferry services will be put out to tender.

“We have always worked well with the previous operator, NorthLink, and the current provider, Serco NorthLink. Our challenge has never been with the operator, but with the level of service provided under the current contract.”

Councillor Stockan said OIC will be negotiating for improvements, including the restoration of a year-round middle-of-the-day return crossing of the Pentland Firth, proper refit cover, and freight fares on the Pentland Firth that are in line with those charges on similar-length crossings elsewhere in Scotland.

“Given that the consultation that led to today’s decision will have considerably delayed the award of the next contract, we will be asking for these improvements to be introduced during lifetime of the current contract — as well as being key components when the new contract comes into force,” he said.

“We will be looking for meaningful dialogue with the minister and with Transport Scotland on this.”

Councillor Stockan added: “We are still awaiting an announcement on the introduction of RET on Northern Isles ferry routes. I hope there is a speedy resolution and agreement reached with the local operator on the Pentland Firth. This needs to happen soon, or our community will be disadvantaged.”