THE PROCUREMENT of the next contract to operate the Northern Isles Ferry Services to Shetland and Orkney is under way, with the publication of the contract notice.
The contract, worth an estimated £370m, will run for eight years.
The ‘Invitation To Tender’ documents will issue early in the new year, with a view to awarding the contract in Summer 2019.
Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse said: ‘Scottish Ministers will retain control of all important issues, like routes, timetables and fares, under the terms of the public service contract. All the routes will be tendered as a single bundle and all existing vessels will be made available to the successful bidder.’
