THE EUROPEAN Commission has informed the Scottish Government that in its view an exemption to current state aid rules could now allow the direct award of ferry services contracts to a public sector operator.
Commenting on the announcement by Scotland’s Transport Minister Humzaa Yousaf MSP, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar leader Councillor Angus Campbell, said: ‘We very much welcome this development.
‘While it has taken a long time to reach this stage, it is very pleasing to hear that our island ferry services may no longer need to go out to tender, allowing more resources to be spent on services rather than expensive tendering processes.