Councils united over temporary ferry replacement

Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council have made a joint call to the Scottish Government to provide a replacement vessel which fully meets the requirements of both communities during NorthLink’s dry dock period.

The convener of OIC and leader of SIC, together with other senior councillors from both councils, agreed during a telephone conference call that a stand-in vessel with the same capabilities as NorthLink’s three main ferries is needed during the nine-week refit period.

They also agreed that responsibility for finding a suitable vessel – and for fully funding its charter – lies with the Scottish Government.