Transport / Outline business case on new NorthLink passenger ferries expected next year
AN OUTLINE business case and concept designs for replacement Northern Isles passenger ferries is expected to be presented to Scottish ministers next year.
Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, however, said the specific timeline of business case activity, procurement and delivery is still currently being developed and will be “dependent upon resource, required approvals and available funding”.
It comes as more advanced work on replacement freight vessels continues, with these boats – which are in line to have more passenger capacity than the current ships – expected to be delivered in 2029.
Replacements for the NorthLink passenger vessels Hrossey, Hjaltland and Hamnavoe are slated for delivery at some point between 2031 and 2036.
The Hrossey and Hjaltland, which run daily between Lerwick and Aberdeen – sometimes via Kirkwall – came into service in 2002.
The smaller Hamnaove operates between Orkney and Scrabster on the Scottish mainland, and was also brought into service in 2002.
Writing to Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart in response to a parliamentary question on replacements for the passenger ferries, Hyslop said:
“The outline business case for the replacement vessels, including concept design work and project cost estimates, is expected to be presented to Transport Scotland and then ministers in 2026.”
A new consultation on the Scottish Government’s next Northern Isles ferry contract, which is currently awarded to Serco NorthLink, is currently open.
The current contract ends on 30 June 2028.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
