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CalMac to be given ferry routes CalMac ferry contract confirmed
(about 12 hours later)
Ministers are expected to announce later that ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has been awarded the contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides services. Ministers have confirmed that ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has been awarded the contract to run the Clyde and Hebrides services.
It will formally mark the end of the previous Scottish Government's controversial tendering process. It formally marks the end of the previous Scottish Government's controversial tendering process.
State-owned CalMac, which already operates the services, was forced to tender for the routes in a bid to satisfy European competition rules.State-owned CalMac, which already operates the services, was forced to tender for the routes in a bid to satisfy European competition rules.
Two private operators who expressed an interest pulled out of the process.Two private operators who expressed an interest pulled out of the process.
Only bidder
After a parliamentary battle, the previous Labour/Lib Dem administration finally persuaded Holyrood that offering CalMac routes to the private sector was the only way of satisfying EU competition demands.After a parliamentary battle, the previous Labour/Lib Dem administration finally persuaded Holyrood that offering CalMac routes to the private sector was the only way of satisfying EU competition demands.
Only bidder
In the event, the only private operators who expressed interest in the more than 20 routes - the offshore company V Ships, and Dunoon's Western Ferries - pulled out.In the event, the only private operators who expressed interest in the more than 20 routes - the offshore company V Ships, and Dunoon's Western Ferries - pulled out.
This left CalMac as the only bidder.This left CalMac as the only bidder.
Despite bitterly opposing the process, the incoming SNP administration decided to see it out as the quickest way of settling the six year contract, which last year cost the taxpayer about £30m.Despite bitterly opposing the process, the incoming SNP administration decided to see it out as the quickest way of settling the six year contract, which last year cost the taxpayer about £30m.
However Gourock to Dunoon, where even CalMac failed to bid, remains to be settled.However Gourock to Dunoon, where even CalMac failed to bid, remains to be settled.