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Tender for ferry network includes extra services

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Published Date: 15 December 2006
IMPROVED ferry services on some of the most popular west coast island routes are planned as part of the tender for Caledonian MacBrayne's network, which was launched yesterday.
A new £20 million ferry will boost summer sailings between Kennacraig on Kintyre and Islay, with extra sailings between Ardrossan and Brodick on Arran, Oban and Craignure on Mull, and Oban and Coll/Tiree.

The changes will be introduced next autum
n and will be operated by the winning bidder, with the new vessel following in 2009. V.Ships, the world's largest ship management company, whose main base is Glasgow, is CalMac's sole challenger for the five-year contract.

However, sources told The Scotsman it remained unclear whether the firm would submit a tender by next May's deadline.

A spokesman would say only that the firm would review its position when it had received the tender documents.

The Scottish Executive has been forced to launch the process because of European laws over subsidies paid to state-owned companies like CalMac.

Neil Kay, professor emeritus of economics at Strathclyde University, welcomed the improvements as "commendable" but said the European Commission might question whether they were warranted, since extra subsidy would be required.

The Executive dismissed this but said the subsidy would not be known until bids came in.



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 December 2006 10:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Caledonian MacBrayne
 
1

Guga,

Rockall 15/12/2006 04:11:39

"The Scottish Executive has been forced to launch the process because of European laws over subsidies paid to state-owned companies like CalMac."

This is a blatant lie. The EC has told them life-line services to the islands do not have to go out to tender. The Labour numpties are using this as an excuse to privatise MacBrayne's and lumber us with an even more expensive and poorer quality service.

We already have the most expensive ferry services in the world, and this move will probably result in increased fares. We do not benefit from Road Equivalent Tariffs (RET) like they do in some parts of Europe.

It can only be assumed, therefore, that the New Labour numpties want to follow on from their Whigs mates who, in the twenties, wanted to completely clear the Western Isles. Presumably to turn it into a play park for them and their idle rich mates (those with and without bought peerages).

2

SouthernSkye,

Germany 15/12/2006 07:06:41

I thought V ships pulled out? I am sure it was reported in The Scotsman. I am also convinced that The Scotsman reported the problem with the tender now was that no-one else was bidding as the other company, whose name I forget, had also pulled out!

Anyone else remember this or have I been having realistic dreams about tender processes again?!

3

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/12/2006 09:04:51

SS

You are right. V ships pulled out but renegotiated the tender and West Coast Ferries pulled out and P&O pulled out. You're not dreaming mate!

Guga

You are spot on in your summation and I find it a tradegy that they are willing to play with peoples livlihoods like this. We are as much a part of the UK as the Isle of Wight or any of the other 5000 islands that make up the UK. Maybe by becoming independant we could make use of the RET which in turn would make the outer isles a more prosperous place.

4

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/12/2006 09:05:20

PS

SS

Hope you have a good Xmas mate back home! Bet you can't wait to get back!

5

Gaga,

Knockall 15/12/2006 10:44:54

That CalMac will win this contract is not in any doubt. Ministers have publicly stated their support for Calmac's bid, which seems anti-competitive in the extreme. The 'competition' is therefore no more than a charade. But will the status quo really benefit the island economies? And who will it appease most, the unions representing ferry employees perhaps? Certainly not most open-minded islanders who desperately want real improvements to their ferry services.

6

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/12/2006 13:25:47

As an adendum, Calmac have shipped much of the administration offshore (Gurnsey I believe) to reduce costs insofar as to save paying tax. Is that not money laundering and laundering of UK tax payers money?

7

SouthernSkye,

Germany 15/12/2006 15:51:53

Dave Von Barra:
Yes, can't wait....roll on Weds 20th !
All best to you n yours if I am not "here" until "07.

Re:#6 comment....nah Dave, that's called efficient tax planning and avoidance. All legit.....however if you, I or a small business tried this the IRS would drop like a ton of bricks and HMG would be looking at drafting new laws to stop others using "the loop-hole" (they are in fact doing this but will only chase small businesses).
Tschüss
SS


 

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