Minister denies ferry procurement was ‘catastrophic failure’

The Scottish Government has denied that the procurement process for two ferries was a “catastrophic failure” after the build was delayed and ran over-budget.

Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse made the claim as he responded to a review into what went wrong with the construction of the new CalMac vessels.

In a damning report last month, MSPs on Holyrood’s rural economy and connectivity committee said the procurement of the boats from the Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow was “a catastrophic failure”.

“While there are lessons to be learned, which we have acknowledged, we do not accept the committee’s description of a ‘catastrophic failure’.”
Island minister Paul Wheelhouse

Ferguson Marine was supposed to deliver two ferries to be used on CalMac’s west coast routes by 2018 at a cost of £97m.

But the vessels are not now expected to be completed till 2022 and 2023 respectively, with the cost having almost doubled.

The committee inquiry found that the procurement process was “not fit for purpose”.

In a letter to MSPs, Wheelhouse stressed that Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), a Scottish Government-backed body, “directly procures” vessels for the CalMac fleet.

Speaking about the two boats, referred to as 801 and 802, the minister insisted: “I am satisfied that procurements in relation to 801 and 802 were undertaken fastidiously, in good faith and following appropriate due diligence.”