Construction on long-awaited freight-plus ferries could start in early 2026

A DECISION on funding for two new Northern Isles freight vessels could be made as early as next month.

An outline business case for the two long-awaited freight-plus ferries, which would also offer more passenger capacity on the route, is expected to go before a Scottish Government “investment decision making board” in early April.

Transport Scotland’s head of ferries Chris Wilcock told Tuesday’s external transport forum that was “earlier than was said previously”.

It is hoped that all contracts will be signed on the deal by February 2026, with the two ferries expected to take around three-and-a-half years to build.

CMAL, the company which owns vessels on behalf of the Scottish Government, received interest from 13 shipyards across the world in constructing the two ferries.

Company chief executive Kevin Hobbs said they had since whittled that down to six shipyards, which they would be scrutinising in the coming months.

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Hobbs said all parties “really do need to get going”, adding they hoped to start the “long-winded” tender process in June.

The ferries will be able to operate either as full-freight vessels, with room for just 12 passengers, or as passenger ships – offering capacity for 200 people.

Councillor Alex Armitage asked what the operational issues would be of switching between the two modes, and how easily that could be achieved.

NorthLink chief Stuart Garrett said they could not “automatically” go from taking 12 passengers to 200, and that the ferries would likely operate in full passenger mode during peak times like the summer holidays.

He added that “additional cabin crew will be needed” onboard during these times.