Question reference: S6W-04118
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 4 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make a direct award to local authority operator, Orkney Ferries, for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.
Answer
I met with the Orkney Islands Council in Kirkwall recently and heard about their plans to introduce low-emission ferries. I welcome these plans but made clear – as local representatives well know – that the responsibility for their inter-island ferry services including the procurement of replacement vessels, related infrastructure and crewing arrangements, sits with the local authority.
We recognise the pressures this brings which is why the Scottish Government’s 2021-22 Budget includes £19.2m for local authorities operating ferries, an increase of £7.7m on last year.