SIC seeks naval architects for new Fair Isle ferry
NAVAL architect consultants are being sought for the new Fair Isle ferry project.
It comes after Shetland Islands Council was awarded nearby £27 million of UK Government funding for a new vessel and harbour improvements at Fair Isle and Grutness.
The council is now tendering for naval architect services at a cost of £500,000 excluding VAT.
The contract could run for an anticipated 36-month period and begin in mid-July.
Ground investigation works at both Fair Isle and Grutness have been completed and the planning process is underway.
A report presented to councillors on the SIC’s environment and transport committee on Monday warned, however, that the overall programme to meet the Levelling Up funding spending deadlines remains “very time critical”.
“The project timeline remains very tight,” development director Neil Grant said.
He added that there are two construction windows available during the funding timescale – one in 2024, and the other in 2025.
The council previously approved a budget of £2.8 million to be spent on progression of the project to enable the creation of the full business case.
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