Council / Harbour infrastructure contract awarded for Fair Isle ferry project
The contract, for work in Fair Isle and Grutness, is worth more than £30 million
CONSTRUCTION and civil engineering company BAM Nuttall has been awarded a £31.5 million contract to undertake harbour infrastructure works for the Fair Isle ferry replacement project.
Work is expected to begin at both sites in March, with completion expected in December 2025 for Grutness and in November 2026 for Fair Isle.
Works will include new tubular piling to extend the Grutness pier and a breakwater extension to create a more sheltered berth.
In Fair Isle, the boat noust would be enlarged to accommodate the new wider, longer vessel and to a build a new slipway, boat cradle and winch house. Dredging will also be carried out in both harbours.
The entire project, which will also include a new ferry for Fair Isle, will cost £45.4 million.
Nearly £27 million of this will be paid for with UK Government funding, with Shetland Islands Council contributing the rest.
SIC leader Emma Macdonald said: “I’m pleased to see these contracts awarded so that these important works can get underway to provide a new ferry for the Fair Isle community.
“It’s been a long journey to prepare the detail of the full business case, against a difficult economic backdrop and uncertain costs over recent years.
“After the decision by councillors in December to agree to fund the project, I’m grateful that the UK Government has also now agreed to commit their funding too.
“The ferry is a lifeline for so many aspects of life in Fair Isle and its replacement will serve the island for many years to come.”
BAM Nuttall was involved in the civil engineering works for the recent Caithness-Shetland HVDC power cable project, which included a converter station in Kergord.
The company was awarded the Fair Isle contract following an open tender process.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party 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.
