Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs , has announced the decision which may finally secure the future of the SV City of Adelaide and establish new cultural links with Australia .

The Minister has named the Australian Group, The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide , as the preferred bidder to move the internationally important vessel, also known as The Carrick, which has lain on a slipway in Irvine for over a decade.

Ms Hyslop said: “The City of Adelaide has an illustrious past shared by two nations, Scotland and Australia . This bid gives us the opportunity to save the ship build on that link and open up the potential for both countries to recognise partnerships and shared heritage on an international scale.

“We can now have a link between Scotland and Australia which allows both nations to share the vessel’s historical, cultural and social significance through tourism, interpretation and education. If the vessel moves within the timescales suggested, the ship will arrive in Adelaide in time for the celebration of South Australia ’s ‘Jubilee Year’ in 2011 celebrating the 175th anniversary of the State.

“I was impressed and inspired by the enormous commitment shown by the Australian and Sunderland groups for the vessel. I am aware that everyone who worked on the unsuccessful bid will be disappointed. However, because of the need for the vessel to be removed from its current location, a viable alternative to deconstruction had to be identified in order to save the ship.

”I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the process, the bidders, the Scottish Maritime Museum, National Historic Ships and North Ayrshire Council for the commitment to preserving the vessel in the most appropriate way.” The full text of the Minister’s statement can be found on the Historic Scotland web-site.

The Ministers decision was based on the options appraisal report commissioned earlier this year. The full report will be made available in the near future.