Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has described initial discussions about the company’s proposed bid to operate lifeline ferry services in the Northern Isles with representatives of interested parties and in particular business sectors in Orkney as “meaningful and constructive” .

CalMac Chairman Dr Harold Mills is leading a delegation of senior company officials to Orkney and Shetland on a three day consultation exercise which is designed to contribute to the company’s formulation of its bid for the ferry services contract which has to be submitted to the Scottish Executive by November 1, 2005. Dr Mills, who will accompany the delegation to Shetland tomorrow (Thursday), said he was very pleased with the outcome of the initial talks. He said “most of our focus on the first day has understandably been on the shipment of livestock from the islands. We were already aware of some of the issues which have been faced in the last few years and we are now very clear in our understanding of the aspirations of the farming community in particular. What the community and all the business sectors want from the operator of the new service is workable and affordable solutions to the difficulties which have been encountered as the service has developed”.

Dr Mills added “I am grateful to all the organisations we met in Orkney today who expressed satisfaction with the improvement Northlink has brought to the service to the Northern Isles. CalMac’s view and commitment is that we will use what has gone before as a springboard for future developments and improvements. We will take into account everything we have heard today and over the next two days and will return to the islands within the next few weeks with propositions for integrated solutions to the various scenarios we are being presented with. These will obviously take into account the requirements detailed by the Scottish Executive in the Invitation To Tender (ITT) about the level, quality and cost of services”.

The CalMac delegation moves to Shetland on Thursday where it will continue its series of meetings with representatives of farming, fishing, tourism and other business sectors. CalMac is also launching a special section on its website www.calmac.co.uk where interested parties can make their views known about the proposals for the new Northern Isles ferry service which is due to start in April 2006.

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For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 07725350169; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.
Issued: Wednesday 24 August, 2005 : 16:25