---
title: "Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "TRANSPORT SCOTLAND"
published: "2026-06-05"
---

# Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4)

Buyer: TRANSPORT SCOTLAND  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad

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## Summary

Transport Scotland is progressing with the procurement process for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4), a significant project under the services category focused on ferry transport. This contracting opportunity involves ferry services connecting Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster, and Stromness. These services, currently facilitated by five vessels, are vital for year-round transportation between mainland Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The procurement is currently at the tender stage, with crucial dates including the tender submission deadline on 10 August 2026 and the prospective contract start on 30 June 2028. The contract is expected to run for a maximum of ten years, with an estimated total value ranging from GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million. The procurement will follow a restricted procedure, providing potential tenderers with comprehensive instructions and competitive criteria focusing 60% on cost and 40% on quality.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in ferry transport services, shipbuilding, and maritime logistical support. The scope for deploying two new Freight Flex vessels early in the contract and replacing three RoPax vessels offers significant prospects for companies involved in vessel construction and retrofitting. Businesses with strong technical capabilities and quality management practices will find this tender appealing, given its emphasis on quality and sustainability in project delivery and management approaches. Furthermore, with the potentiality of a subsidy for the principal services, businesses experienced in managing subsidised transport operations will be well-suited to compete effectively for this contract, fostering long-term growth and operational scaling within this niche maritime sector.

## Notice

Provision of public services in relation to the Northern Isles Ferry Services to/or from harbours located at Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster and Stromness. The Ferry Services are currently delivered using 5 vessels (3 RoPax passenger vessels, plus 2 RoRo freighters). The estimated value for these services is currently in the range of GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million, with the forecast based on a maximum ten year contract period (to 2038). Further information is provided within the pre-tender information document attached to the contract notice. Further information on Transport Scotland can be accessed through the Transport Scotland website at: www.transport.gov.scot

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Transport Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Ministers intend to procure a new contract for the provision of Ferry Services in relation to the operation of passenger, vehicle, and freight services in the Northern Isles. This contract will replace the existing public services contract which expires on 30 June 2028 at 1400hrs. The duration of the contract will be a maximum of 10 years (8 years + 2 years). The principal public services, supported by subsidy, are the Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS4) for foot passengers, vehicles and Freight. The NIFS network provides vital year-round transportation between mainland Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The services connect Aberdeen to Lerwick (Shetland) with some sailings stopping at Kirkwall (Orkney), and Scrabster to Stromness (Orkney). Vessels are provided via a bareboat charter agreement from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). The estimated value for the delivery of these services is currently in the range of GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million with the forecast based on the above-noted maximum contract period (to 2038). In relation to fleet renewal, two new Freight Flex vessels are scheduled for introduction in the early years of the contract, in addition to plans for the replacement of the three RoPax vessels at a later date. In comparison with the existing contract, the proposed contract duration and fleet renewal plans under the NIFS4 contract are anticipated to lead to an increase in the overall net operating costs. The projected costs will remain subject to ongoing review as project costs, timelines and financial arrangements are refined. The current estimate is derived from assumptions on a number of variables including, but not limited to, fuel prices, fares policy, the deployment schedule for new vessels throughout the contract duration, and the continuation of existing funding mechanisms associated with provision of those vessels. Please note that any future changes to fares policy, vessel deployment plans, or funding arrangements will influence the final value of the NIFS4 contract.

Renewal: The initial contract duration is for 8 years with a possible extension of additional 2 years.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053220-2026 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 10 Aug 2026 |
| Future notice date | 29 Jun 2028 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 29 Jun 2028 - 30 Jun 2038 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| 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 | TRANSPORT SCOTLAND |
| Locality | GLASGOW |
| Post town | Glasgow |
| Postcode | G2 7ER |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM32 Glasgow City |
| Local authority | Glasgow City |
| Electoral ward | Anderston/City/Yorkhill |
| Westminster constituency | Glasgow North |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60610000 - Ferry transport services

## Release History

- 5 Jun 2026 at 10:14 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053220-2026
- 4 Mar 2026 at 09:19 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019289-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
- http://www.transport.gov.scot
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000820082
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833316
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=833316
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=833316
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00099
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

## 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-0661ad. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad.json.