Serco tries to calm freight fears
THE NEW northern isles ferry operator Serco has pledged that the islands’ transport links will not be diminished when they take over the service from NorthLink in July.
Northern isles MSPs Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur met the company’s business development manager for transport Jamie Ross on Tuesday morning and raised fears the service might lose one of its two freight boats during at least part of the year.
Speaking on BBC Radio Shetland, Mr Ross said he was unable to present details about the new service until the contract is signed on 15 May.
However he said he was sure that people would be “reassured” when all the details came out.
“We have spent a lot of time trying to understand the dynamics of the freight sector and we fully appreciate the importance of imports and a thriving export sector,” Mr Ross said.
“I think we have built in the right proposals to deliver a very high quality service to customers that will deliver a very high degree of reassurance once we take over the contract.”
Despite this, the two MSPs have now written to Scottish transport minister Keith Brown calling for clarity on the question of the freight vessels.
Speculation is rife amongst the isles’ farming and transport sectors that there is a proposal to remove one of the two freight vessels Hildasay and Helliar for at least four months of the year.
Mr Scott said: “We want to make sure that the freight service which is very important for the export of fish, salmon, mussels and livestock is maintained and even enhanced.
“I am concerned that we may see the loss of a freight ship, that’s being openly discussed and we have therefore written to the transport minister looking for an assurance that’s not going to happen.”
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Staff and unions have also voiced concern over the fate of NorthLink employees, though Serco have said all staff will be transferred to the new company in line with legislation.
The company has said it intends to maintain the NorthLink name and the vessels’ livery along with its website, telephone numbers and booking system.
Serco is advertising for a new senior management team, which it says will be based locally.
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