Freight vessel on passenger route
(Picture: Cecil Garson)
Serco NorthLink have confirmed that a freight vessel will cover for the Hamnavoe when the ship goes on refit in the New Year.
The Hamnavoe will be out of service from January 6- 23, the Hjaltland from February 1-19, and Hrossey from February 27 to March 15.
While the Hamnavoe is out of service, Serco NorthLink say that the Scrabster to Stromness route will be served by the freight vessel Helliar, which can only carry 12 passengers.
Serco NorthLink added that Pentland Ferries has confirmed that it has capacity for all potential NorthLink passengers.
A courtesy bus will operate between the NorthLink and Pentland Ferries terminals at each location.
The company also said that passenger fares will increase by 2.7 per cent from January 1.
Serco NorthLink said that the maintenance period has been scheduled to coincide with the quietest time of the year for passengers and freight – January to March.
Improvements to the existing maintenance programme means that none of the ships should be in dry dock during 2015.
The company also announced a revised Scrabster–Stromness timetable which will see three return trips per day for most of August 2014 to meet perceived demand.