---
title: "Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05932e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05932e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05932e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05932e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2025-12-01"
---

# Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service

Buyer: WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05932e

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078588-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 19 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | 27 Oct 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 11 Apr 2026 - 11 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | 2028-09-01 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,000,000 |
| Lots value | £1,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | POULTON-LE-FYLDE |
| Post town | Blackpool |
| Postcode | FY6 7PU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD4 Lancashire |
| ITL 3 | TLD44 Lancaster and Wyre |
| Local authority | Wyre |
| Electoral ward | Breck |
| Westminster constituency | Fylde |
| Delivery location | TLD North West (England), TLD4 Lancashire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

## Release History

- 1 Dec 2025 at 15:41 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078588-2025
- 3 Sep 2025 at 12:50 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053544-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078588-2025
  1st December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053544-2025
  3rd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/
  Opportunity is advertised on the ProContract portal and tender documents are available by expressing interest to the opportunity.

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05932e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05932e.json.