Serco off to the Orkney and Shetland islands

4th May 2012 15:40

Serco Group, the international service company, has been selected as preferred bidder by Transport Scotland for a new contract to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles. The contract, which is expected to be signed in the coming months and is due tostart in Summer 2012, has a total estimated value of around £350m oversix years.Under the contract Serco will operate the ferry services for freight andpassengers between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Islands and ShetlandIslands, providing essential access and supplies for the islanders. The staffemployed by the current operator, NorthLink, are expected to transfer to the new service under transfer of undertakings (protection o employment) regulations. JH