Small Ferries Project - Spreading The Word

SPREADING THE WORD - SMALL FERRY PROJECT TEAM HEAD FOR BRUSSELS The team behind the Small Ferries Project is to hold a one-day conference in Brussels to raise awareness of the project, which aims to develop a strategic plan for a new fleet of small vessels to serve remote and island communities off the Scottish and Irish coastlines. “Ferries for the Future: New models for financing and designing small lifeline ferries” will take place on Tuesday 29th September at Scotland House from midday. Those Interested in attending the conference can do so by registering online at http://ferriesforthefuture.eventbrite.com. Supported by an EU grant of more than £230,000, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has partnered with the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in Ireland to examine a common design and procurement strategy for ferries which could be used by each of the partners. Funded by the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme, at least eight routes will be examined within the programme area, which covers parts of the West Coast of Scotland and Ireland. This strategy will help reduce the overhead costs of shipbuilding and increase the potential for efficiency savings through more joined up working across the jurisdictions. Conference topics will include: • 'Small Ferries: Financing Solutions through Cross-border Collaboration?' • ‘The Social and Economic Importance of Lifeline Ferry Services’ • 'Low Carbon Ferries: A Vision for the Future' The future of Lifeline Ferry Services will also be discussed with guest speakers including Ronald Vopel , Marine Policy at the European Commission; Pelin Zhou, Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at Strathclyde University and Ko Ko Naing of Stena AB Notes to Editors:  The grant of £233,750 has been made by the Special EU INTERREG IVA Programme – a Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region and Western Scotland. The overall aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is to: ‘Support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region.’  The areas covered in this study will include :        

Alt an Chorrain to Leab Gharbn, Arainn Mhor (Burtonport to Arranmore) Alt an Chorrain to Toraigh (Burtonport to Tory Island) Ballycastle to Rathlin Tarbert to Portavadie Gigha to Tayinloan Oban to Lismore Tobermory to Kilchoan Sconser to Raasay

• CMAL, which owns property at piers and harbours at more than 21 locations throughout Scotland, is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements which will create better facilities and more opportunities for additional ferry services. CMAL also owns 31 ferries which are chartered to a number of operators. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

• The Department for Regional Development (DRD) is one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created by the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Its main responsibilities include regional planning, roads, public transport and certain policy and support work for water and sewerage, air and sea ports. • The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland aims to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities. For further information contact Andrew Flockhart, CMAL, on 01475-749920 or email [email protected] WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2009 12.30

Lunch & Registration

13.30

Welcome Grenville Johnston | Chairman | CMAL

13.45

Presentations Chaired by Keith Walsh | Department for Regional Development | Northern Ireland 'Small Ferries: Financing Solutions through Cross-border Collaboration?' Andrew Flockhart | Lead Partner in the Small Ferries Project and Business Planning Manager | CMAL ‘The Social and Economic Importance of Lifeline Ferry Services’ Séamus Mac Giolla Chomhaill, Principal Officer | Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs | Ireland 'Low Carbon Ferries: A Vision for the Future' Andrew Duncan | Director of Vessels | CMAL Discussion with the audience to follow presentations.

14.45

Panel Discussion - Future of lifeline ferry services Chaired by Aodhán Mac Cormaic | Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs | Ireland 'European Commission Maritime Policy'

Ronald Vopel | Marine Policy | DG MARE, European Commission 'Future Power for Ferries' Peilin Zhou | Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |Strathclyde University 'Limiting Emissions and Innovations in Shipping' Ko Ko Naing | Safety, Environmental and Quality Manager | Stena AB Discussion with the audience to follow presentations.

15.30

Summing-up and Next Steps Guy Platten | Managing Director | CMAL

15.45 Coffee & EU Ferry Projects Exhibition www.smallferriesproject.com