Ferries being built at the Cemre yard in Turkey: FOI release

Information requested

I am seeking all the monthly and/or quarterly updates in relation to the progress on the work on the four ferries being built at the Cemre yard in Turkey from the start of work starting and to date. This would include the progress updates to ministers, the CMAL progress report and the yard's own progress reports, including risk registers.

As you are aware such reports have been made in relation to the Ferguson Marine vessels.

Response

The answer to your question is included within an annex which has been sent to you under separate cover due to the size of the document. Please note that the Scottish Government does not receive any information directly from the Cemre shipyard, this is sent to the client and procuring authority, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions apply, which have been detailed below.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal data relating to third parties) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (substantial prejudice to commercial interests) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because it is a contract funded by the taxpayer and the public may want to have the latest progress on how the contract, more specifically the actual vessel build is progressing. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that the commerciality of the yard building the vessels is not adversely affected. Some of the information within scope of the request will divulge specific elements of the shipyards operation, the release of which may be used by its competitors to the detriment of the yard.

Due to the size of the files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above.
If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide

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