Estimated costs for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme are around GBP 175 million, for the seven new vessels, as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades.

The invitation to tender for this contract is expected to be issued around September 2024, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025.

The vessels that will be replaced include LOCH STRIVEN, LOCH RIDDON, LOCH RANZA, LOCH DUNVEGAN, LOCH FYNE, LOCH TARBERT and LOCH LINNHE, all of which are approaching their operational life expiry.

“The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to improving our ferry fleet to better meet the needs of island communities, so I’m very pleased to see the procurement process for seven new small vessels get underway today.

Our intention is that these ferries would be deployed on seven existing routes but would also bring benefits to two other routes from the redeployment of existing vessels. These nine routes currently serve around 30% of the car and passenger carryings on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

The new vessels will also be electric, helping us to deliver a significant improvement in emissions and local air quality and taking us towards a lower carbon ferry network.

This procurement is a vital step forward in our plans to improve our ferry services and I look forward to following its progress closely over the coming months.”

—Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to progress the SVRP. What matters for us is being able to move forward with our plans to improve the fleet with new vessels. This is great news for island communities, and we look forward to delivering the all-electric lifeline vessels over the coming years.”

—Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive Officer at CMAL

The initial SVRP Phase 1 vessel deployment plan will see the new vessels serving the following routes:

• Colintraive—Rhubodach (Bute)
• Lochaline—Fishnish (Mull)
• Tarbert (Loch Fyne)—Portavadie (Peninsula)
• Iona—Fionnphort (Mull)
• Sconser—Raasay (Raasay)
• Tobermory—Kilchoan (Mull)
• Tayinloan—Gigha (Gigha)

Through cascade of existing vessels and port works, the following two routes will also benefit:

• Largs—Cumbrae (Cumbrae)
• Oban—Lismore (Lismore)

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