Transport / Transport officials came close to buying freight vessel Arrow
TRANSPORT officials were very close to buying a second hand freight vessel for the Northern Isles before the “rug was pulled from under our feet”, a meeting has heard.
Transport Scotland’s Alan McCabe said the government agency was close to purchasing the MV Arrow, which has been used for relief shifts on the Northern Isles in the past, to add extra capacity.
But the vessel eventually was sold to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which had chartered it previously, for around £8 million in September.
Transport Scotland has always said it remains on the lookout for additional tonnage to deal with capacity constraints on the Northern Isles ferry service.
McCabe said the deal to buy the Arrow fell through at the “very last minute”.
The meeting heard that the Isle of Man company ended up having first option on the vessel.
Kevin Hobbs from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), the corporation which owns the Scottish Government’s ferries, said the team was “thoroughly disappointed” to miss out on the boat.
He added second hand boats continue to be suggested to them by owners and shipbrokers.
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.
