Stornoway to Ullapool Ferry Study, Scotland
We were appointed by Comhairle nan Eileen Siar (the Council of the Western Isles) to prepare a STAG pre-appraisal of the future of this service.
The goal of this study was to ensure that the vessel(s) providing the service on the Stornoway / Ullapool ferry route, over the next 15-20 years, maximised both the quality and level of service available to all ferry users.
The objective of the commission included:
- Assess the key issues affecting stakeholders on the route.
- Identify constraints and uncertainties.
- Identify planning objectives and measures that might be taken on the route to support these.
- Make an initial appraisal of deploying different types of vessels, assuming that the current ports are retained.
Six options were assessed including “Do nothing”, deployment of different sized conventional Ro-Pax vessels, and use of fast ferries. A quantitative appraisal was made of the options to assess likely trade-offs between additional financial costs and induced economic benefits. The appraisal parameters included an assessment of all the costs of operating services.
We concluded that alternatives to Do Nothing indicated indirect economic benefits that are significant relative to the marginal cost of implementing them. Recommendations were made on the focus for more detailed appraisal, possible amendments to tariffs, and associated port infrastructure issues. (2007)
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