BIDDING for Caledonian MacBrayne's main ferry routes is expected to be launched within weeks, after ministers announced that the state-controlled firm that will own its vessels and terminals will be based in Port Glasgow.
The company will be called Caledonian Maritime Assets and employ ten staff and four part-time directors, the Scottish Executive said yesterday.
The news means that jobs will be secured in Inverclyde, since a number of the new firm's staff will tr
ansfer from CalMac's headquarters in nearby Gourock.
Tavish Scott, the transport minister, said Port Glasgow was a "compelling" choice because the Marine and Coastguard Agency also had a base close by.
The split clears the way for the Executive finally to issue an invitation to tender for operating all but CalMac's Gourock-Dunoon routes, which went out in August.
The Executive said the main tender, delayed several times, is now expected to go out by the end of the month. The move is required under European competition laws governing firms receiving state subsidies. CalMac receives £26 million a year from the Executive.
Just one company is still in the race against CalMac - V Ships, which pulled out of the Gourock-Dunoon tender race last month and lost to CalMac in bidding for the NorthLink contract for ferries to Orkney and Shetland. The winner will lease the ferries and terminals from Caledonian Maritime Assets.
The creation of the firm will complete the restructuring of CalMac. The operating side of CalMac has been switched to a new company, CalMac Ferries.
An undisclosed site has been selected for the new firm's offices. It will own CalMac's 31 ferries and 30 terminals.
Its board is expected to be appointed by the Executive shortly.
Scott said: "Locating the headquarters in Port Glasgow will secure high-quality jobs and will be a welcome boost to the economy of Inverclyde.
"The close proximity of the site to the existing CalMac HQ in Gourock will aid a smooth transition in the restructuring of the shipping group.
"That the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, responsible for marine safety, is also in nearby Greenock, makes Port Glasgow a compelling choice."
The Gourock-Dunoon route is being treated separately because it will not be subsidised, as Western Ferries competes with CalMac there. The two firms are bidding against each other for the contract, with tenders to be returned by the end of the month.
Peter Timms, CalMac Ferries' chairman, said: "The entire restructuring process has been planned to provide a seamless transition and to ensure continuity of service to all CalMac's customers."
