CalMac Ferries Ltd, operator of the Clyde and Hebridean lifeline ferry services, has issued the following statement following confirmation that the Company is now the sole bidder in the tender exercise for Clyde and Hebridean Ferry Services (CHFS).

CalMac Ferries’ Chairman Peter Timms has, this afternoon, issued the following message to CalMac staff:    “You may be aware that V-ships have today withdrawn from the tendering exercise for Clyde and Hebridean ferry services. The future of the tendering process is entirely a matter for the Scottish Executive. They have already assured us that they will be pressing ahead with the tendering process. While that remains the case, I have to stress that we will still have to produce a robust bid, which will convince the Executive that we are the company best placed to deliver lifeline ferry services.  Today's announcement by V ships alters nothing as far as CalMac Ferries is concerned, nor any of our other companies. Please be assured that a lot of very hard work remains to be done and that we will have to produce a compliant and properly costed bid.”

The Invitation To Tender document is available on the Scottish Executive website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/18100005/0

Ends.

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

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited

Issued: Monday, January 29, 2007: 1630