Caledonian MacBrayne welcomes the clarification provided by the Transport Minister today on the tendering of the Clyde & Hebrides ferry services.

CalMac’s Director of Strategic Development, Alasdair McNicoll, welcomed the removal of the continuing uncertainty: “We have always believed that our ferry services would be tendered and we have continued to prepare the Company for the competitive tendering process. We await the full detail of the Service Specification but we are confident that Caledonian MacBrayne will be in a strong position to submit the winning bid.”

Ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Services, Caledonian MacBrayne.  Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued:  Friday 25 June 2004  : 1400 hours