Minister welcomes Small Ferries Project report
Wednesday, 29 September 2010Transport Minister Conor Murphy today welcomed the publication the Small Ferries Project report. The report examines options for a common design and procurement strategy for small ferries.
The Minister said: "I welcome this report today from the Small Ferries Project Steering Group and I wish to congratulate them on the collaborative cross-border approach they have taken to this study.”
The Small Ferries Project involved the Department for Regional Development partnering with the Department of Equality, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited in Scotland to investigate ways to design, build and procure a replacement fleet of small ferries, to deliver lifeline ferry services for remote communities off the Irish and Scottish coastlines including the Rathlin to Ballycastle route.
The Minister added: "It is important to acknowledge the funding and assistance that the Small Ferries Project received from the Special European Union Programme Body under the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme.
"The Small Ferries Project has demonstrated that there are opportunities for public bodies across these islands to join together to address issues that are common to them all. I look forward to reading the report in detail and considering its recommendations."
Commenting on the report Howard Keery, Director of Joint Technical Services with the SEUPB said: “The highly collaborative approach taken in the production of the report highlights the core objectives of the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme which has been designed to promote cross-border co-operation in order to create a more prosperous and sustainable region. I anticipate that it will bring many tangible and long-term benefits, to Western Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.”
The report outlines a proposal for the development of a common vessel design and a cross-border collaborative approach to procuring replacement ferries, to deliver new vessels and associated improvements in harbour infrastructure. This approach would ensure cost savings in vessel procurement, allow shared expertise in researching new technologies and innovative funding mechanisms, and flexibility in operation and maintenance of the fleet.
Eight routes were examined by the project, however it is anticipated that the outcomes will have wider reach and benefit for other routes in the three regions.
Notes to editors:
1. A copy of the Small Ferries Project report can be found at http://www.cmassets.co.uk
2. The Small Ferries Project was part financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme, managed by the Special European Union Programmes Body.
3. The grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for NI, 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.
4. The objectives of the project were to estimate the demand for ferry services within the programme area; to develop a new series of vessel designs that embrace the higher design standards needed for the effective operation of modern ferries; to develop a design that is flexible and can cater for the needs of different islands and isolated rural communities; to develop plans for the most appropriate port infrastructure; and to develop innovative methods of finance and procurement for the next generation of ferries servicing remote islands.
5. The programme area includes the following routes:
Ballycastle to Rathlin
Ailt an Chorráin to Leadhb Gharbh, Arainn Mor
An Bun Beag\Machaire Rabhartaigh to Toraigh
Tarbert to Portavadie
Gigha to Tayinloan
Oban to Lismore
Tobermory to Kilchoan
Sconser to Raasay
6. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
7. The Department of Equality, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities.
8. DRD subsidises the ferry service between Rathlin and Ballycastle.
9. Media queries to: Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 90 540004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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