CalMac Ferries' current contract to operate ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides is to be extended by 12 months.

The Scottish Government says it needs more time to consider issues around a 'direct award' of the next full-length Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract.

The government says a direct award, rather than a competitive tendering approach, is still its preferred option, but that it needs extra time to carry out 'due diligence' work associated with that approach.

The current contract is due to come to an end in four months' time.

Transport Scotland says extending the current contract by a year will also provide a degree of certainty to staff and ferry user communities.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, will provide a further update to the Scottish Parliament later this year.

Ms Hyslop said: “While good progress has been made on the due diligence related to a proposed direct award to CalMac, it will not be possible to conclude all of the processes by September 30, which is the end date of the current contract.

“We have made arrangements to extend the existing contract for 12 months.  This will allow the due diligence process to robustly conclude and, subject to the outcome of that process, a final decision to be made on a direct contract award.

“I will provide a further update to Parliament later this year on progress and on timings for decision-making within the extended period.”

The existing competitive tender procedures were put in place under rules which applied while Scotland, and the UK, was still a member of the European Union.

Reacting to the news, Jamie Greene MSP (Conservative, West Scotland) said: “Yet more uncertainty surrounding a key component of our national ferry infrastructure will come as a disappointment to all but a surprise to none.

“The cabinet secretary wants to award the next ferry contract to CalMac without a competitive process which could bring fresh ideas to the network.

“Ms. Hyslop has taken the easier road with regard to contract renewal. That is her decision.

"But to hear that even this can’t be done without a year-long delay is quite frankly embarrassing.

“Whilst I appreciate the Cabinet Secretary writing to MSPs, the reasons for this delay are still not clear.

“The minster must come to parliament to explain exactly why this delay has occurred and what issues have been discovered.”