No suitable second-hand ferries found by SIC on market to date

NO SUITABLE second-hand vessels have been found by Shetland Islands Council in their bid to add support to the ferry service.

With a new ferry only likely to join the fleet in 2028 or 2029, some have commented in recent weeks that another vessel is needed to supplement the ferry routes.

This has been most keenly felt in the North Isles, with both the Bluemull and Yell Sound services being reduced to single vessel services – leaving some people waiting hours to get in or out of Yell and Unst.

Shetland Islands Council said that its continuing to review the market for appropriate second-hand vessels, but that none had been identified as yet.

However the council said that “good progress” had been made with regards to the technical and procurement works for a new build ferry.

Expressions of interest were sought last month from ship builders for the work, with a contract notice requiring responses by 2 March.

A new ferry is hoped to be delivered by December 2028, though the council has said in the contract notice it has a “strong preference” for an earlier handover of 31 October 2028.

The notice said there is also an option to procure up to two similar vessels in addition, which would come at a total cost of more than £35 million excluding VAT, however the notice confirms the SIC only intends to procure one vessel at this time.

Meanwhile construction on the new Fair Isle ferry at Parkol in Whitby is continuing in line with the build schedule, the SIC said.

“Construction of the bulbous bow has continued during the period with bulkhead also being assembled,” it added.

“Further sections have been fitted to the hull and work continues on the engine room.”

The new Fair Isle ferry is expected to be delivered on 31 October 2026.

Councillors on the environment and transport committee will be presented with the updates at its meeting on Tuesday.