MSPs embark on inquiry into ferry procurement
The Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity (REC) committee has launched an inquiry into the ferry procurement and construction process following the collapse and subsequent nationalisation of Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL).
The inquiry will look to identify and address challenges and opportunities in the procurement of new vessels to support Scotland’s ferries network, including the impact of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on the future award of new ferry construction contracts.
The Ferguson Marine shipyard was formally taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government earlier this month.
It was put into administration in August after repeated delays and rising costs for an order of two ferries under a £97 million fixed-price contract.
On Wednesday, it was revealed the cost of completing the two delayed CalMac ferries has more than doubled.
Areas the inquiry is expected to focus on include:
- the updated costs and timetable for the completion of two new hybrid ferries to serve the Clyde and Hebrides ferries network;
- the Scottish Government’s decision to take public ownership of FMEL;
- potential implications for future procurement of maritime vessels and for the ongoing development of the Scottish Government’s Ferries Plan and Vessel Replacement Programme.
Committee convener Edward Mountain MSP said: “Repeated delays to the planned schedule for delivery by Ferguson Marine of the two new hybrid ferries have been further complicated by the company’s entry into administration and the Scottish Government’s subsequent decision to assume public ownership of the Inverclyde shipyard.
“These developments clearly have important implications not only for the completion of the two vessels, but also for future plans for the replacement and refurbishment of vessels to meet the ongoing needs of the Clyde and Hebrides ferries network more generally.
“The Committee wants to find out not only what has gone wrong and how things will be put right, but how these problems can be avoided in the future. We need to make sure that the relevant lessons from this saga are learned for the procurement and construction of new ferries in future.”
The committee invites all interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence on its inquiry. Responses to the call for evidence should be submitted by no later than 7 February 2020.
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