Tender

Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Dec 2025 at 15:41

Planning

03 Sep 2025 at 12:50

Summary of the contracting process

Wyre Borough Council is currently in the tender stage for a public procurement opportunity titled "Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service," focusing on transport services within the UKD4 region in the United Kingdom. This contract, categorised under services, is valued at £1,000,000 and involves providing an annual passenger ferry service classified as inland waters (Category C - Tidal river, estuary). The contract begins on 12 April 2026 and spans three years with an option for a two-year extension. Interested parties must submit their tenders by 19 January 2026, following an open procurement procedure. The opportunity includes leasing facilities such as the ferry dock and slipway as part of the service operation.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) experienced in ferry transport services. Businesses equipped with a suitably qualified crew and a ferry vessel registered for Category 4 operations will be well-suited to compete. The successful contractor will be responsible for managing all aspects of the ferry service, retaining all fare revenue, and has the flexibility to increase the frequency of service as desired. Engaging with such contracts helps businesses expand their operational footprint and capitalise on consistent passenger demand within the region, with anticipated annual passenger numbers ranging from 30,000 to 40,000.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service

Notice Description

Tenders are being invited from Operators on the basis that the Contract will be for a period of 3 years with the option of a 2-year extension, commencing on 12 April 2026. The successful Operator will enter into a Lease of the Ferry Dock (including buildings) and Knott End slipway defined in the Contract to assist in the performance of the Ferry Service. The contract is to provide an annual passenger ferry service between Fleetwood and Knott End. The service is classed as Inland waters - Category C - Tidal river, estuary where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 1.2m at any time. It is subject to tidal restrictions which may reduce the number of sailings possible. The Service will operate at least once per hour from 7.45am to 5.45pm, subject to tidal and weather restrictions, throughout the summer (Easter Sunday to 31 October) with reduced hours in the Winter months. The Operator may choose to operate additional sailings at any time at his discretion. The Operator is required to provide a ferry vessel, suitably qualified staff, and to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Service. The anticipated vessel size would, as a minimum, be registered as a Small Commercial Vessel and certified under the MCA's Code of Practice. The vessel will be registered to operate within Area Category 4 and will carry no more than twelve passengers per journey. Based on current usage, it is estimated that the ferry vessel will carry 30,000 - 40,000 passengers per annum. The operator will retain all fares including slipway launch fees at Knott End slipway.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One extension is available for an additional two years

Planning Information

We are inviting interested parties to engage with the council regarding this opportunity. Individual meetings will be arranged via teams. All submissions of clarifications relating to this opportunity or to organise a meeting with council officers are to be made via procurement@wyre.gov.uk.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05932e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078588-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Dec 20253 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
27 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Apr 2026 - 11 Apr 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2028-09-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@wyre.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
POULTON-LE-FYLDE
Postcode
FY6 7PU
Post Town
Blackpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD44 Lancaster and Wyre
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England), TLD4 Lancashire

Local Authority
Wyre
Electoral Ward
Breck
Westminster Constituency
Fylde

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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