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Caledonian MacBrayne restructuring plans in place
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02 October 2006

In preparation for the tendering exercise for the Clyde and Hebridean Ferry Services, Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd was restructured yesterday, Sunday, 1 October 2006.

 

A new company, CalMac Ferries Limited (SC 302282), has been set up. With effect from 1 October 2006 the business of running the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services has been transferred to CalMac Ferries Limited. Like its predecessor, Caledonian MacBrayne Limited, CalMac Ferries Limited is ultimately owned by Scottish Ministers. The ownership of the vessels and ports will remain with a new asset-owning company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, also created as part of that restructuring. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited will also be owned by Scottish Ministers and will be based in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde.

 

All employees of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited, with a small number of exceptions, transferred their employment to CalMac Ferries Limited with effect from 1 October 2006. The transfer will have no impact upon employees' terms and conditions. There will be no alteration in ships'

livery or branding. Apart from the change of Company name, it is business as usual.

 

CalMac Ferries Limited's Chairman Peter Timms said: "It is a requirement of the forthcoming tender process that there should be a clear legal separation between the company that actually operates the ferry services and the company that owns the vessels and ports. Previously Caledonian MacBrayne Limited ran the ferry services and owned the vessels and the ports. The restructuring into CalMac Ferries Limited and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ensures that separation. I welcome the confirmation today of the location of the new asset-owning company in Port Glasgow, close to our own operation in Gourock. The entire restructuring process has been planned to provide a seamless transition and to ensure continuity of service to all CalMac's customers."

 

Photographs of the signing ceremony are available from CalMac free to use.

 

Ends

 

 

 

Notes to News Editors: CalMac Ferries Limited is a new subsidiary company of David MacBrayne Limited, registered in the UK and based at Gourock, Inverclyde. CalMac Ferries Limited will continue to operate the Clyde and Hebrides services and will be the tendering vehicle for the Gourock-Dunoon and Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS). CalMac Ferries Limited will continue to trade under the existing brand of Caledonian MacBrayne or CalMac.

 

In recognition of the uniqueness of the CalMac fleet and to ensure a level playing field for all bidders for the Clyde and Hebridean ferry services, Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd has been split into a new operating company, CalMac Ferries Limited (OpsCo) and an asset-owning company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (VesCo). This has been done by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd transferring its operations (but not its assets) to CalMac Ferries Limited. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited

will continue to own all vessels and land-based assets (ports, harbours, etc) and lease them to the operator while CalMac Ferries Limited will bid to run the services in the open tendering process.

Whichever operator is appointed will be bound to use the vessels owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited except on the Gourock-Dunoon route where the operator will be free to utilise

alternative vessels.

 

 

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan Maclennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, CalMac Ferries Limited, (Aiseagan ChalMac Earranta); tel 0776 435 4021.

 

Issued: October 2, 2006:   1030