News / Freight capacity concerns
CONCERNS have been raised over the impact reducing fares on the NorthLink ferries might have on freight capacity if passenger demand rises.
Streamline Shipping managing director Gareth Crichton told Thursday’s external transport forum that operator Serco NorthLink needs to look at the situation “very, very closely” in the coming months.
He said space on the ferry decks was “already quite tight” and if more vehicles like mobile homes were taken on the passenger ferries then freight capacity on the service could be limited.
This has led to suggestion that cabin capacity may be even more stretched at peak times, but there are concerns with freight and vehicle space too.
NorthLink operates two cargo vessels Helliar and Hildasay between Lerwick and the Northern Isles, while the passenger vessels Hjaltland and Hrossey – which travel to and from Shetland more regularly – can also take some freight.
Crichton suggested that “increased freight sailings can reduce some of the pressure on passenger vessels”.
The shipping boss said Streamline spent £350,000 with NorthLink last month. “Let’s get the freight boats working harder,” he added.
But NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett said the freight deck is at “far less than maximum capacity” over the course of an average week and added that it wasn’t within his power to change timetables as it is operated on behalf of the government.
Transport Scotland official Paul MacAskill said analysis from NorthLink suggested “there is no current justification for additional sailings to be cascaded into the current timetable”.
“But are you listening to the customers?” asked Crichton.
“If there is a need for the timetable to be altered, then we are more than happy to get all the operators and all the freight customers around the table to see if there is an opportunity to rejig the timetable,” MacAskill replied.
Steve Henry of the Shetland Tourism Association also added his concerns over future capacity, suggesting that more frequent sailings are needed.
Shetland Islands Council transport manager Michael Craigie said there is a working group which has met with local contributors on the issue of future demand for the north boats.
“I can say a wide range of options have been included in the process,” he said – including “deploying vessels differently than we have done” to address an anticipated rise in demand.
He said the “big point” was to exploit the opportunities that reduced fares could bring.
Councillor and SIC development committee chairman Alastair Cooper, meanwhile, echoed views from the fishing industry about space on the ferries if there are increased landings in Shetland.
He said proposed new fish markets in Lerwick and Scalloway will increase output, while quota changes might also boost stocks.
Garrett said NorthLink is aware of the concerns from the industry.
“We’re very cited on future market developments,” he said.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local 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.
