Falklands : New Shipping Contract for Falklands Waters
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 06.09.2006 (Article Archived on 20.09.2006)
Workboat Services Limited. have won the contract to provide Coastal Shipping for the Falkland Islands.
Coastal Shipping Contract
At a special meeting yesterday, Executive Council gave further detailed and careful consideration to information provided by two companies in respect of proposals to provide a new coastal shipping service, including a cross-sound ferry service. The meeting followed discussions with both companies the previous day.
Following extensive examination of both proposals, which provided very different solutions, Executive Council has decided to enter into detailed contract negotiations with Workboat Services Limited (WSL) with a view to that company commencing the provision of the service as soon as possible.
WSL is a new Falkland Islands registered company owned jointly by Fortuna Limited, Holyhead Towing Company Limited and Dan and Marie Loveridge. A new, 45 metre bow ramp landing craft, adapted for Falkland Islands waters and to carry up to 36 passengers on the ferry service, is to be purchased by WSL. Detailed pre-contract negotiations are likely to take some time to complete and it is not therefore possible to say when the new service will commence. Until then, the service will continue to be provided by the MV Tamar.
Councillor Mike Rendell, who holds the transport portfolio said:
“I’m very pleased that we have now moved to the next stage of letting a new contract for this essential service. Members faced some difficult choices in weighing up two very different proposals. We have decided to opt for the one which offers the greatest potential to develop an improved ferry and supply service to the Islands and for use by the MoD which will provide much needed income. Effort will now be concentrated on the fine details of the contract and service so that it can be introduced just as soon as possible.”
Contacts:
Cllr. Mike Rendell
Chris Simpkins
Secretariat
Stanley
6th September 2006
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