Serco off to the Orkney and Shetland islands

Serco Group, the international service company, has been selected as preferred bidder by Transport Scotland for a new contract to deliver lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles.

The contract, which is expected to be signed in the coming months and is due to

start in Summer 2012, has a total estimated value of around £350m over

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six years.

Under the contract Serco will operate the ferry services for freight and

passengers between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Islands and Shetland

Islands, providing essential access and supplies for the islanders. The staff

employed by the current operator, NorthLink, are expected to transfer to the new service under transfer of undertakings (protection o employment) regulations.

JH