Tensions rise over ferry dry dock row

SCOTTISH transport minister Keith Brown has invited local authority leaders in Shetland and Orkney to have further talks to resolve the wrangle around the NorthLink ferry dry dock period.

On Tuesday the two councils’ leaders issued a joint statement calling on the government to pay the full cost of chartering a suitable replacement vessel for the Pentland Firth between 23 January and 13 February when NorthLink ferry Hamnavoe is undergoing her refit.

Shetland Islands Council has been asked to pay 10 per cent of the £250,000 cost of chartering the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Hebridean Isles for those three weeks, to prevent the need for one of Shetland’s ferries to stand in.

Councillors will debate the issue on Thursday afternoon, but are concerned about setting a precedent of paying towards the lifeline ferry service.

Orkney Islands Council is additionally annoyed at being offered the Hebridean Isles as a replacement vessel, which they say is less comfortable and slower than the Hamnavoe.

Meanwhile the two island Liberal Democrat MSPs have accused the SNP-led government of setting the two island authorities against each other.

This week senior councillors from Shetland and Orkney held a telephone conference during which they agreed the government should find and pay for a stand-in vessel of the same capacity as the three NorthLink vessels.

SIC leader Josie Simpson said: “For Shetland, a reliable connection with Aberdeen is essential for the economic well-being of our fishing and seafood industries and for our wider community.

“We will be badly affected if the current two-vessel operation is reduced to just a single ferry during the refit period. We urge the government to find a solution that meets the needs of both Orkney and Shetland as a matter of urgency.”

OIC convener Stephen Hagan added: “From past experience we know the Hebridean Isles is not a suitable vessel to operate a reliable lifeline service on the Pentland Firth in the adverse weather conditions that can be expected at that time of the year.

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“Responsibility for providing a suitable vessel for the refit period must lie with the Scottish government. The two councils have written a joint letter to the minister setting out our position on this and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with him.”

The transport minister has replied to the statement, saying that he welcomed the councils’ engagement and he agreed providing ferry services was a government responsibility.

However Mr Brown said the additional charter went beyond the current contract. “Despite that, together with NorthLink, we are prepared to find the lion’s share of the additional, unbudgeted costs of an additional vessel,” he said.

“We still believe a solution is possible with goodwill on all sides. I met with the council leader in Shetland last week and would be happy to speak to both council leaders to discuss further.”

Allan Wishart, who chairs the Shetland transport partnership ZetTrans, said that the government initially proposed the SIC contribute towards the Hebridean Isles in December at a meeting in Lerwick involving the seafood and haulage industries.

“The initial reaction then was no, but because of the principles involved this has to be a council decision,” he said.

“Personally I think it’s very much a government responsibility, but the council faces a dilemma about setting a precedent and supporting local industry.

“The status quo is no and on Thursday the council has the opportunity to confirm that or to change it.”

Meanwhile Lerwick Community Council voted unanimously on Monday night for the council to reject the government’s request to contribute towards the Hebridean Isles, warning against setting a legally binding precedent.

The transport minister has attempted to allay such fears by insisting the same situation will not be allowed to arise when a new ferry contract is signed later this year.