THE transport minister Fiona Hyslop has told MSPs that the decision on whether to renew Gourock ferry firm CalMac’s contract by direct award has been delayed by over a year.

Ms Hyslop was due to provide an update to the Scottish Parliament in June on whether the government would proceed with its preference of directly awarding the next contract to CalMac without competition from other potential providers.

The decision was due to be taken following the completion of a due diligence process, but Ms Hyslop said in a letter that ministers 'now have greater clarity on the remaining issues and processes that need to be finalised, and it is clear that we cannot conclude these by 30 September 2024, the end date of the current contract'.

She has extended the process by 12 months, meaning a decision on the future of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) may not be reached until summer 2025.

West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said: “Yet more uncertainty surrounding a key component of our national ferry infrastructure will come as a disappointment to all but a surprise to none.

“The cabinet secretary wants to award the next ferry contract to CalMac without a competitive process which could bring fresh ideas to the network.

“Ms Hyslop has taken the easier road with regard to contract renewal. That is her decision. But to hear that even this can’t be done without a year long delay is quite frankly embarrassing.

“Whilst I appreciate the cabinet secretary writing to MSPs, the reasons for this delay are still not clear.

“The minsiter must come to parliament to explain exactly why this delay has occurred and what issues have been discovered.”