The Partnership
The overall aim of the Small Ferry Project is to develop a Strategic Plan which gives remote island and rural communities a cost effective ferry service from the mainland that corresponds to the needs of ferry passengers and businesses in the 21st Century.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has partnered with the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs Ireland to examine a common procurement and design strategy for small ferries which could be used by each of the partners.
By working together, the advantages of common design and a joint procurement strategy include skills and knowledge sharing across the three partnership areas, reducing overhead costs and increasing the potential for efficiency savings through economies of scale.
A grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’
CMAL, who own property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland, are embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services. CMAL also owns 31 ferries which are chartered to a number of operators. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
The Department for Regional Development (DRD) is one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created in 1999 by the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Their main responsibilities include regional planning, roads, public transport and certain policy and support work for water and sewerage, air and sea ports.
The Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities.