Nautilus welcomes direct award of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract to CalMac

Nautilus International has expressed its approval at the Scottish government's decision to award the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract directly to Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).

Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth, liaison officer Iain MacKenzie, and union representatives from the STUC and RMT attended an arranged meeting on 8 May 2024 at St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, with cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop MSP, plus officials from the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland. The minister opened the meeting by announcing the decision to make a direct award to CalMac Ferries from 1 October 2025.

'Nautilus clearly welcomes the announcement that CalMac has been directly awarded the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders going forward, whilst representing our maritime professionals throughout the CalMac network both at sea and ashore,' Mr Smyth said.