New lifeline ferry contract – operators must use same ports

Operators looking to tender for the Northern Isles ferry service must continue using the existing ferry ports and routes.

According to Transport Scotland, a public consultation exercise took place last year and the organisation has continued to engage with representatives from the communities, including local authorities and regional transport partnerships.

As a result, Transport Scotland will continue to specify the ports of Aberdeen, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Scrabster and Stromness for the provision of the lifeline ferry services. A maximum crossing time of 90 minutes between Scrabster and Stromness will also continue to be specified.

All three passenger vessels currently used on the service will be made available to bidders although they will also be free to come forward with their own vessel solutions.

The current ferry contract is ends in July next year.