Question reference: S4W-25867
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 1 June 2015
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Current status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 10 June 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd does not proceed to final tender decision for two new ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services without agreement from the communities served by these routes that the specifications are (a) suitable for existing piers and harbours and (b) capable of replication over a number of years.
Answer
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) will ensure that prior to any contract award it will ascertain that the new vessels will be suitable for the existing piers and harbours on the routes identified for the initial deployment of these vessels.
If this proves not to be possible, CMAL will identify what modifications may be required to the piers and harbours (or the vessels’ preliminary designs) to allow the vessels to operate from these ports. There are potentially 15 piers and harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides network that these vessels can serve.
CMAL will be capable of procuring similar vessels in the future.