New contract terms are being explored for the Lough Swilly ferry which could see the service being extended to 10 years under the same operator.
The council has announced plans to put the Buncrana-Rathmullan service out to tender for a three year period from 2020 to 2022. In the past, the contract was renewed annually ahead of the summer sailing season.
Under the new terms, the council said that it will carry out a review on the provider in 2022. If the service is satisfactory, it will look at extending the contract by three years, two years and two years based on the agreement reached with the provider.
Cllr Liam Blaney has welcomed the revised contract length and said it will give the operator a chance to build on the ferry service over a 10 year period.
Cllr Blaney also stressed the importance that a minimum ferry size is established.
The roll-on roll-off service is due to resume again in June 2020.
