Ferry Services Managed by Transport Scotland

Overview

Transport Scotland is responsible for several different ferry services. This page looks at the subsidised routes and the contractors undertaking them.

Gourock - Dunoon

Both sides of Cowal Peninsula are linked by a subsidised ferry that travels between Dunoon town centre and Gourock town centre. It is operated by Argyll Ferries Ltd (AFL) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. AFL were awarded a six-year contract in June 2011 to operate this service. This contract has been extended by 18 months to 20 January 2019.

View the contract, minute of extension, minute of extension part two, and variations.

The contract runs from June 2011 until January 2019.

See more information on the Argyll Ferries website.

Steering group

The Steering Group was set up by Alex Neil MSP and helped to keep the service accountable to Scottish Ministers. The last meeting was chaired by the then Minister for Transport and the Islands, Derek Mackay MSP, on 19 January 2016.

Minutes of meetings

Feasibility study

MVA Consultancy and The Maritime Group carried out a feasibility study of a future passenger and vehicle service with the vehicle service portion being non-subsidised. Their report Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Service: Feasibility Study has been published.

A number of Technical Notes informed the final report and have also been published. These technical notes were work-in-progress and presented initial analysis which was subsequently revised in the light of new information and comments received.

Following the completion of the Feasibility Study, the Scottish Government completed a market engagement exercise with potential operators. This will inform our future policy and procurement options and you can read the Market Engagement for the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Service report. Our aim is to provide long-term solutions for improving travel between the two towns.

The consensus is that for route reliability to improve, the service needs more suitable vessels. It is likely that new, purpose-built tonnage will be required.

A paper considering the options open to the Scottish Ministers under the relevant EU legislation and guidelines Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Service – Vessel Procurement has been published.

MV Coruisk

On 19 September 2013 the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, announced in Parliament that the MV Coruisk would be made available over the 2013/14 winter period as an additional passenger only vessel on the Gourock-Dunoon town centre route. The vessel has been deployed in subsequent years.

Reports on the deployment of the Coruisk have now been published.

Freedom of Information requests

In response to a Freedom of Information request asking for advice received from David MacBrayne Ltd on the use of the MV Coruisk on the Gourock-Dunoon route, the following response has been made available.

In response to a Freedom of Information request asking for information regarding RET fares, the following response has been made available.

FoI/14/00953

In response to a Freedom of Information request asking for information regarding the MVA study, the concept of a “defensible subsidy” and the position of the European Commission, the following response has been made available.

FoI/14/01212

In response to a Freedom of Information request asking for information regarding Harbour dues at Gourock and Dunoon, the following response has been made available.

FoI/16/01356 & FoI/16/01404

Clyde and Hebrides

CalMac Ferries Ltd provide the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services under tendered contract with Scottish Ministers. You can read about the plan for the future of these services in the Scottish Ferries Plan 2013-2022.

The contract for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services runs from 2016 until 2024:

Clyde and Hebrides contract: 8 years (October 2016 to October 2024)

CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd, which is wholly owned by Scottish Ministers.

Contracts and evaluations

On 17 February 2015, the Contract Notice was submitted to the Official Journal of the European Union, signalling the Scottish Government’s intention to take forward a competition that will see a contract awarded at the end of May 2016 for the provision of the services from October 2016.

View contract tender documentation

The service is regularly evaluated. Read the results of those evaluations below:

AMFC process evaluation Mallaig report March 2016 Undertaken by Why Research
AMFC monitoring evaluation Campbeltown March 2016 Undertaken by Vector Research with JMP Consultants

Northern Isles

The Scottish Government subsidise ferry services from the mainland to Orkney and Shetland via the Northern Isles Ferry Services Contract, which over the course of the six year Public Service Contract from July 2012 to April 2018, was worth £223 million. Serco NorthLink Ferries won the tender against competition from the previous public sector operator, NorthLink Ferries Ltd. The contract has been extended for a period of 18 months, due to expire on 31 October 2019.

Northern Isles ferry services contract

Operator: Serco NorthLink Ferries
Contract: 6 years (July 2012 to April 2018)
Minute of Extension and Variation: 18 Months (April 2018 to October 2019)
Areas served: Ferry services between (a) Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick and (b) Scrabster and Stromness.

For more information visit the Northlink Ferries website

A public consultation on options for future Northern Isles ferry services was conducted from 11 June to 30 September 2010.

The relevant consultation documents are available for information only below.

MV Hamnavoe

A copy of the report into the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe in April 2013.

Northern Isles freight contract

Operator: Shetland Line 1984 Limited, part of the Streamline Shipping Group

Contract length: 6 years (May 2008 to May 2014). View the contract

Areas served: Freight shipping service between Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick

Next Northern Isles Ferry Service Contract

Following the Minister for Transport and the Islands announcement in the Scottish Parliament on 20 December in relation to the Ferry Services Policy Procurement Review, both the Minister and Transport Scotland officials will conduct extensive consultation with key stakeholders and members of the local community, at which point, a decision in relation to the next Northern Isles Ferry Service Contract will be taken.

Jura Passenger Ferry Service

The Craighouse to Tayvallich ferry service is a small summer only 12-seater passenger ferry service that operates in the Sound of Jura between Craighouse, Jura and Tayvallich on the Knapdale Peninsula. The Jura Passenger Ferry connects with local bus services in Tayvallich to Lochgilphead and, from there, with CityLink services to Glasgow on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays (except school holidays, please see website for alternative times).

The Jura Passenger Ferry is overseen and promoted by the Isle of Jura Development Trust. The Trust is a community organisation in its 20th year, set up by local residents to ensure that the social and economic development of Jura is successful and sustainable.

For more information, please visit the Jura Passenger Ferry and Community Land Scotland websites.

Non-Subsidised Ferry Services

The following links provide information about major ferry services which are not funded by the Scottish Government:

There are also a number of privately owned operators who provide local ferry services throughout the Highlands and Islands.

Ferries Unit engagement

Ferries provide a vital lifeline to our valued island and rural mainland residents and help to support thriving business and employment opportunities on the islands. The lifeline services on the Clyde and Hebrides network, the Northern Isles network and the Gourock – Dunoon service are provided under Public Service Contracts.

Transport Scotland’s Ferries Unit is responsible for overarching ferries policy, the procurement of the Public Service Contracts, contract management of these contracts and policy on future vessel and infrastructure investment. The Public Service Contracts specify the routes and timetables which the operator is required to provide, as well as the fares which apply.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is a public body wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. It owns the ferries, ports and harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the West coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary. It procures and owns the vessels, which are funded by the Scottish Government and owns and maintains 22 harbours. It leases the vessels to the ferry operator for use under the Public Service Contracts, which is mostly, but not wholly, under the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract. The operators of the Public Service Contracts, CalMac Ferries Ltd, Serco NorthLink Ferries and Argyll Ferries Ltd, deliver the ferry services to the islands. They are responsible for local consultation on various matters, such as timetables, with local communities, reporting back to Transport Scotland.

CMAL is also classified as a public corporation and subject to the governance arrangements applied to Scottish public bodies. These are set out in a Management Statement and Financial Memorandum.

Consequently Transport Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, is actively engaged in a number of groupings with a range of key stakeholders to ensure that these ferry services are managed and developed in a way that is consistent with those aims.

In carrying out its various functions, Transport Scotland engages formally with different groups. A list of these groups and their membership is set out below. This list is not exhaustive and Transport Scotland engage with many other groups on an ad hoc basis.

Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services

Name	Frequency	Membership	Purpose of Group
Ardrossan - Brodick Taskforce	Variable	Transport Scotland North Ayrshire Council CalMac CMAL Clydeport Local stakeholders	To ensure improvement of the operational effectiveness of the Ardrossan facility in supporting the lifeline ferry services and the new vessel on the Arran route
Argyll Ferry Infrastructure Group	Monthly	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council CalMac Ferries Ltd CMAL	To ensure that vessels and infrastructure are suitable and sustainable. To take forward specific projects, starting with those for Islay and Mull. To share information and co-ordinate communications with communities and other stakeholders.
CHFS Procurement Reference Panel	Final meeting held on 24 February 2017	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council North Ayrshire Council HiTRANS Strathclyde Partnership for Transport Local stakeholders	To discuss the CHFS procurement process/invite view on approach used in ITT.
Expert Ferry Group	3 times per year	Transport Scotland CalMac CMAL HiTRANS ZetTRANS Strathclyde Partnership for Transport UK Chamber of Shipping Independent ferry experts Academic experts Commercial ferry operator	To provide Scottish Ministers with considered advice about key ferries related issues in Scotland. To provide advice on strategic issues highlighted by local Ferry Users Groups or Committees. To provide advice to Scottish Ministers on the requirement for wider consultation and on the progress made to implement the Ferries Plan proposals.
Ferry User Groups	Six Monthly	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council North Ayrshire Council Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council HiTRANS Strathclyde Partnership for Transport ZetTRANS Inverclyde Council CalMac CMAL Local stakeholders and elected officials	To provide a forum for engagement on strategic issues facing the CHFS network.
Freight Fares Review Working Group	Variable	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council North Ayrshire Council Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council HiTRANS Strathclyde Partnership for Transport ZetTRANS Highlands & Islands Enterprise Freight Transport Association Road Haulage Association	To oversee the strategic direction of the Freight Fares Review.
Gourock - Dunoon Ferry Service Steering Group	Not yet established - on hold following announcement of Policy Review	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council Inverclyde Council Dunoon-Gourock Ferry Action Group	To discuss the GDFS procurement process/invite view on approach used in ITT.
Iona Harbours Working Group	Last two meetings November 2016 / January 2017 - next meeting April / May 2017 date to be confirmed	Transport Scotland Argyll & Bute Council CalMac Ferries Ltd CMAL Sound of Iona Harbours Committee South West Mull and Iona Development Highlands and Islands Enterprise	To undertake a new feasibility study to identify medium / long term options for Iona / Fionnphort Overnight berth.
The Islands Transport Forum	Twice a year	(By Invite only) Transport Scotland Government Officials	Improving collaboration between Transport Scotland, RTPs and islands councils and ensuring clarity with regard to roles; Establishing a process that fully accounts for island-specific view; Ensuring efficient and effective lines of communication between all key stakeholders to facilitate improved consultation and engagement.
Mallaig - Armadale Working Group	Variable	Transport Scotland CalMac Ferries Ltd CMAL Mallaig Harbour Authority The Highland Council Sleat Transport Forum Road to the Isles Marketing Group Sabhal Mor Ostaig	To develop options and proposals for the medium and long-term provision of appropriate vessel and shoreside infrastructure on the Mallaig to Armadale route to accommodate forecast growth and provide operational resilience.
Outer Hebrides Ferry Services	To be determined	Transport Scotland CalMac Ferries Ltd CMAL Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council Argyll & Bute Council HiTRANS Highlands and Islands Enterprise Stornoway Port Authority Ullapool Harbour Authority Mallaig Harbour Authority	To develop options for the long-term provision of ferry services to, from and within the Outer Hebrides
Ullapool - Stornoway Ferry Service Taskforce and Stakeholder Group	Met monthly Jan - June 2015	Transport Scotland Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council CalMac CMAL Ullapool Harbour Trust Stornoway Port Authority Outer Hebrides Tourism Local stakeholders and hauliers	The role of the Taskforce was to identify issues and review progress of the whole project including: The completion of works at Stornoway and Ullapool. The entry into service of the £42m MV Loch Seaforth. Arrangements for diversionary services during the scheduled Ullapool linkspan replacement works. Communication and engagement. Realisation of the benefits of the significant investment undertaken in tonnage and infrastructure.
Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan (Network Strategy)	monthly tripartite meetings with CalMac and CMAL	Transport Scotland CalMac CMAL Argyll & Bute Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council North Ayrshire Council HiTRANS Strathclyde Partnership for Transport	To develop a programme of vessel replacements, deployments and disposals in support of: the delivery of the Ferries Plan, the on going renewal of the fleet and responding to forecast demand across the network in an objective and transparent way.

Northern Isles Ferry Services

Name	Frequency	Membership	Purpose of Group
Northern Isles Consultative Forum	Variable	Transport Scotland Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council HiTRANS ZetTRANS Local harbour authorities Local commercial ferry operators VisitScotland	Outward facing forum on external Northern Isles ferry services. Key consultative group for Scottish Government in testing proposals for future changes to existing services. Supports the Scottish Government in assessing communities’ needs taking into account all current ferry service provision as well as on-going financial constraints.
Northern Isles Ferry Services 2018 Working Group - Appraisal	Variable	Transport Scotland Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council HiTRANS ZetTRANS Highlands and Islands Enterprise	To oversee a study to inform the specification for the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.
Orkney & Shetland Internal Transport Studies	Variable	Transport Scotland Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council HiTRANS ZetTRANS Highlands and Islands Enterprise	To oversee work to inform future decisions on funding and responsibility for internal ferry services following Ministerial commitment to fair funding in the Empowering Scotland's Islands Communities prospectus.

Audit Scotland - Transport Scotland's Ferry Services

Audit Scotland published Transport Scotland’s ferry services on 19 October 2017. We welcomed the report and are working to implement its recommendations.

Ferry Services

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