The devolved government started the process of putting seven new electric ferries that will support the Clyde and Hebrides routes, and which will be able to carry commercial vehicles.
The Scottish government stated that the ‘first stage of the competitive tender process will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project’.
Transport Scotland confirmed that the new vessels will be able to carry trucks and vans.
Estimated cost for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP) is around £175 million. That will pay for seven new vessels as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades.
The invitation to tender for this contact is expected to issue around September 2024, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025. Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m very pleased to see the procurement process for seven new small vessels get underway today.
“Our intention is that these ferries would be deployed on seven existing routes but would also bring benefits to two other routes from the redeployment of existing vessels.
“The new vessels will also be electric, helping us to deliver a significant improvement in emissions and local air quality and taking us towards a lower carbon ferry network.”
The initial SVRP Phase 1 vessel deployment plan will see the new vessels serving the following routes:
- Colintraive – Rhubodach (Bute)
- Lochaline – Fishnish (Mull)
- Tarbert (Loch Fyne) – Portavadie (Penisula)
- Iona – Fionnphort (Mull)
- Sconser – Raasay (Raasay)
- Tobermory – Kilchoan (Mull)
- Tayinloan – Gigha (Gigha)
Through cascade of existing vessels and port works, the following two routes will also benefit:
- Largs – Cumbrae (Cumbrae)
- Oban – Lismore (Lismore)
