Condor sells former Jersey and Guernsey passenger ferry to DFDS
It will be renovated ahead of its launch later this year, replacing the MV Arrow, the leased vessel currently transporting Jersey's freight, said DFDS."We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Goodwill, " said Chris Parker, the company's Jersey route director."We are working hard to get it ready for service and in the meantime MV Arrow and her crew will continue to provide an excellent service for the island."
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Ferguson shipyard boss calls for direct award of new ferry
The new boss of Ferguson Marine has called for a new CalMac ferry order to be directly awarded to the state-owned shipyard to secure its Thomson said the replacement for MV Lord of the Isles was a target contract for the Port Glasgow yard which has no ship orders once MV Glen Rosa is completed next direct award is not possible, he told a committee of MPs that "social value" should be included in the assessment of bids in order to create a "level playing field" with overseas rivals. He said it would be "very difficult" and "very challenging" to sustain the current workforce unless the yard secures the new order. The Port Glasgow shipyard recently signed a deal for subcontracting work building units for the frigate HMS Birmingham under construction by BAE Systems in Glasgow, but the new work is not in itself enough to guarantee the yard's future. He said it was actively pursuing a number of opportunities, but singled out the planned replacement for MV Lord of the Isles, an 84m (276ft) CalMac ferry built by Ferguson's 35 years ago, which normally serves South Uist. The Scottish government has said it has earmarked funding for the contract, but ferries agency CMAL is awaiting the go-ahead to begin the procurement. The Ferguson shipyard, which employs about 300 people, suffered a major blow earlier this year when an important order for seven small electric ferries for CalMac, worth £160m, went to the Polish firm Remontowa. Mr Thomson said he had been told by CMAL the Ferguson bid did well in the technical evaluation but could not match the overseas yard on price. He told the committee: "We're OK with competition as long as we're playing on a level playing field."As long as a situation prevails where international yards can do it cheaper than us because of the tax breaks, the labour rates, whatever, then we'll never be playing on a level playing field." 'Race to the bottom' Earlier an industry body told the committee that overseas yards enjoyed more state support and cheaper labour costs, often able to undercut UK yards by 10-20%. The UK's refreshed national shipbuilding strategy has called for a minimum 10% social value element in public tenders to offset that. But CMAL, which is owned by the Scottish government, has said it did not include social value in the scoring for the small vessels contract because it was worried about a possible legal challenge. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes had earlier ruled out a direct award of that contract, also citing legal risks. Mr Thomson said public procurement needed to "move away from a race to the bottom in terms of price" to a model that recognised the economic and social benefits of building ships in the UK. "We are lobbying for a shift in emphasis on UK local content and even whether we can get direct award," he said. Mr Thomson, who took up his post in May, accepted that huge overspends and delays with two dual-fuel LNG CalMac ships had harmed the yard's reputation. He said it now needed to "demonstrate delivery" to restore confidence, and once a new order was secured it would draw down £14.2m of new investment promised by Scottish ministers. Some of the planned equipment could reduce the labour time required for steelwork by 30-40%, he said, and would make the yard more competitive. He described the two overbudget ships MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa as prototypes whose problems had arisen from a "bespoke set of circumstances". These included poor planning and an ill-advised "rush to get busy" before there was a mature design in place, he said. Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build? But he said the skills of the Ferguson workforce were no different from other more successful yards such as Babcock, where he previously worked, and BAE Systems. He said he saw the yard's future in building ships between 60 and 80m in length, much smaller than dual fuel ships which are 102.5m (335ft) shipyard could at the same time build smaller vessels, supplemented by subcontracting work on military ships, he added. What other orders could Ferguson Marine bid for? Aside from the MV Lord of the Isles replacement there are several publicly-funded ship procurements in the pipeline which could potentially provide much-needed work for the Ferguson shipyard: Phase two of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme will see ferries agency CMAL order three more small electric CalMac Scottish government has just confirmed it is looking to replace the fisheries protection vessel Minna, and the fishing research vessel Scotia - both previously built by Ferguson's - although no timetable has been UK Border Force is looking to replace 11 small vessels, and the UK government has promised they will be built in the UK. The Ferguson management believes demand for windfarm support ships or lighthouse board vessels could also provide opportunities. Prior to the ferries controversy, Ferguson's reputation was largely built by focusing on specialised ships, under 100m in length.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
£6m plans for Liverpool's Fabric District will include event space
Plans for a £6m regeneration of one of Liverpool's city districts have been approved by a area, between the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street, known as the Fabric District, is set to be transformed with better transport links and a new public Place, off London Road will become a district square with new paving, landscaping, seating and an events space, bus-priority lanes and upgraded traffic signals will also be Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said the plans "mark a major turning point for one of Liverpool's most vital city-centre corridors". Improved transport links Walking and cycling connections into Liverpool's wider active-travel network will also be included."This project will deliver quicker, cleaner bus services alongside a beautifully reimagined public space that works for everyone – residents, visitors and businesses alike," Mr Barrington said."This bold initiative demonstrates how combining smart transport with public realm improvements can fuel growth, cut emissions and create a city that's easier to move around and healthier to live in."The project was revealed as one of the city council's "travel masterplan" initiatives earlier this City Council has approved a £3.4m for the scheme which has been matched by the Liverpool City Region Combined Nick Small, cabinet member for economy and growth, said the "imaginative and creative project will help transform the look and feel of the Fabric District and further improve its appeal to new investors". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Jersey Airport departure lounge overhaul to begin
A major redesign of Jersey Airport's departure lounge is set to begin next of Jersey said the project would include the addition of more food and retail shops, dedicated quiet zones, a family space and views over the plans come ahead of the opening of a new exclusive lounge area on Friday which people can pay £28 to use for 90 first phase of the departure lounge refurbishment is set to start in August, with the main construction work expected to take 14 months to complete, Ports of Jersey added. Other changes being made within the project include the removal of the airport's disruption desk, which was where passengers could get advice about delayed or cancelled back office areas are also set to be cleared out to create temporary walkways for when the main construction phase of Jersey said an area called the Sunflower Room would also be created for passengers who need a break from the noise and lights of the building. Ports of Jersey chief executive Matt Thomas said the project was a "big step" for the added: "As with any project of this scale there will be some disruption as we build a much more welcoming, efficient, and unmistakably Jersey space for travellers."We really appreciate everyone's patience and look forward to delivering something the whole island can feel proud of."The exclusive lounge is being placed on the upstairs atrium and will be run by Number One, a company who run similar facilities at other who use the lounge will be offered complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi and a TV sports area.
