Press release from Transport Scotland.
Alex Neil today confirmed Clyde-based Ferguson Shipbuilders as the
preferred bidder to build a world’s first in environmentally friendly
ferries - in a deal worth over £20 million.
The Cabinet Secretary
for Infrastructure & Capital Investment also said that as a result
of the contract award, jobs would be secured and many more created
providing economic stability and more opportunity for the local economy
to grow.
Speaking at Ferguson’s yard in Port Glasgow, Mr Neil said:
“I’m
delighted to announce Ferguson Shipbuilders as the preferred bidder to
build the world’s first of its kind in hybrid ferries in a contract
worth more than £20 million. The deal will not only secure around 75
existing jobs in the Port Glasgow and Inverclyde area, but create around
100 more. In addition, we expect Ferguson Shipbuilders to create around
20 new apprenticeships directly as a result of this contract.
“This
award is a perfect illustration of how we are making good on our
commitment to create the vital jobs needed to boost local economies and
crucially, to help stimulate growth across Scotland.
“The two new
ferries will come into operation in 2013 and are the world’s first
seagoing passenger and vehicle roll-on roll-off ferries to incorporate a
low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and battery power. The
technology will be cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain
than ever before. It will help Scotland to meet our ambitious climate
change targets, and demonstrates the vast economic potential of
developing green technology and moving to a low carbon economy.
“This
project will provide a boost for commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde –
it has been over four years since the last commercial ship was fully
built and delivered. Today we should celebrate that Scotland’s world
renowned engineering skills will not only continue as a direct result of
the new jobs the contract will create, but flourish when a new
generation of skilled shipbuilders soon begin their apprenticeships.“
Guy
Platten, CEO of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) – who
developed the detailed specification of the new ferry said: “This
project provides a fantastic commercial opportunity for Scottish
shipbuilding and we are delighted to announce Ferguson as the preferred
bidder for the contract to build the world's first sea-going Roll on
– Roll off vehicle and passenger hybrid ferry.
“CMAL is committed
to leading the way in innovative ferry design and building for the
future and we hope to see the first of these vessels in operation in
Spring / Summer 2013.”
Richard Deane, Managing Director of Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd added:
“The
Clyde has a proud shipbuilding heritage and it is wonderful to be part
of such a ground breaking project, which will see the world’s first
hybrid ferries sailing in Scotland.
“The project will have a
major impact on the local economy, including the creation of a number of
new jobs throughout the course of the build and we look forward to
signing the contracts and starting work in due course.”
Notes to Editors:
1.
This contract, worth over £20m was advertised in the European Journal
and won competitively by Ferguson Shipbuilders against strong foreign
competition. The announcement follows a recent tender process which
included marketing events hosted by Scottish Enterprise and partners,
and included a range of Scottish shipbuilding and technology companies.
This led to a number of Scottish and European shipyards submitting
responses for the contract.
2. Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port
Glasgow are the preferred bidder for the construction of two sea-going
Roll-on Roll-off passenger and vehicle diesel electric and battery
powered Hybrid Ferries.
3. The two ferries will each accommodate
150 passengers and 23 cars or 2 HGVs, with a service speed of nine
knots. The vessel will be powered by small diesel generator sets,
feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which will supply power to
electric propulsion motors that turn the propellers. In addition the
battery banks will provide power to operate the vessel.
4. The
ferries, which will be operated by the current operator of the Clyde and
Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac Ferries, are designed for use on many
of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and will use
some of the most innovative new ‘green’ technology, including battery
banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board.
5.
Benefits of the hybrid ferries include reduced fuel consumption and
impact of CO2 emission and other pollutants, noise reduction and lower
maintenance requirements. The ferries will charge overnight while they
are moored on the islands they will serve. It is anticipated future
energy from local wind, wave or solar systems will be used to charge the
batteries, reducing further the carbon footprint.
6. The first
of the two new vessels is expected to be operational on the
Sconser-Raasay route on Skye by the middle of 2013, with the second
vessel coming into operation later the same year.
7. Ferguson
will be working alongside Glasgow-based ship design specialists Seatec
and electrical specialists Tec-Source to deliver the project.
8.
CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) owns the ferries, ports and
harbours and infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving
the West coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary. CMAL are wholly owned
by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Government is providing CMAL with a loan
of £20m for the procurement of these vessels. For more information
about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk, or call Elise McDonald on 0141 548
8028 or 0131 220 8780.
9. Transport Scotland is the Scottish
Government’s national transport agency responsible for; aviation, bus,
freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy
for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel
services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including
monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport
projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road
networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; the Blue
Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to
Scottish Ministers. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
For general information contact Transport Scotland Comms office on:
0141 272 7195
