Funded through a GBP 58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including GBP 28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, GBP 20 million from the UK Government and GBP 10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings between Corran and Ardgour.

Working in partnership with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the Council has developed the tender documentation required and has now formally launched the procurement process through a single-vessel tender. This approach benefits from CMAL's technical expertise and procurement support, while allowing the project to progress within the intended procurement timeframe.

Chair of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Reaching the procurement stage for a new electric Corran Ferry is a significant milestone and demonstrates the continued progress being made in delivering this major investment for the Highlands.

Subject to the successful completion of the procurement process, the contract for the new vessel is expected to be awarded in March 2027, with the replacement ferry anticipated to enter service in early 2029.

The replacement vessel will operate alongside significant investment in new shoreside infrastructure and will be supported by the existing ferry, the 2001-built CORRAN, which will continue to serve as a relief vessel.

Work on the landside infrastructure is progressing and is currently programmed for completion by June 2027. Installation and commissioning of the charging infrastructure is expected to be completed by September 2028.

The concept and tender design for the new double-ended ferry was produced by the German ship design company NaValue, which is also a partner in other ongoing newbuild projects for CMAL.

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