Transport / ‘Encouraging’ feedback from naval architects on SIC new ferry project
INITIAL feedback from naval architects regarding a possible new addition to Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) ferry fleet is “encouraging” and may ultimately point towards a “Fivla-plus” type vessel, a meeting has heard.
Ferry operations manager Andrew Inkster said it was “highly likely” this could become the preferred option to add resilience to the SIC’s fleet over a larger vessel similar to the Whalsay ferry Linga.
It comes as the SIC explores the construction of a new ferry against the backdrop of the Scottish Government pledging £10 million for inter-island connectivity capital work.
A ferry resilience review has been undertaken by the SIC amid heightened disruption to services in recent years.
A report presented to councillors on the SIC’s environment and transport committee on Monday said it has “become increasingly apparent as the review has progressed that seeking to maintain, never mind improve, the very high performance levels the ferry service delivers is likely to place unsustainable demands on existing staff and vessels”.
One option to improve ferry resilience has been to explore new vessel acquisition.
Infrastructure director John Smith told Monday’s meeting that the SIC continues to scan the second-hand market but nothing suitable has come up.
Two options have now emerged – a new vessel similar in size to the current spare ferry Fivla, and the acquisition of a larger vessel, similar in size to the Linga, which would allow the current Whalsay ferry Hendra to act as a second spare vessel.
MacDuff Naval Architects were commissioned to examine options for the Fivla class of vessel, to help determine the level of any compromise that is required amid modern construction standards.
Inkster confirmed that this piece of work was recently received by the SIC.
Although he suggested the Fivla class vessel may end up being presented as the preferred route, it is “early days” and both options should still be explored.
Inkster added that the term ‘Fivla-class’ does not mean a new ferry needs to be identical in size to that vessel.
However, there are two factors at play – it needs to be under 500 gross tonnes and have a certain propulsion.
Inkster said some crew qualifications would be insufficient for vessels with numbers above that.
The report to councillors said a new vessel similar in size to the Fivla would offer “maximum opportunity for use across the service, utilising existing shore infrastructure”.
It added that there should be a budget of £500,000 to allow detailed design work on Fivla and Linga class vessels to continue.
The report is going through various committees and will get its final hearing at the full council on 26 March.
Regarding the idea of developing detailed designs of both Fivla and Linga class vessels, the report said this would “provide the comparative information to allow both options to be evaluated in any outline business case”.
“This would allow procurement of a new vessel to take place once informed conclusions are reached and sufficient budget provision is made,” it added.
During Monday’s meeting Inkster said there was a hope to avoid needing to carry out significant infrastructure works as a result of obtaining a new ferry.
The ferry resilience review is being informed by both the ongoing wider programme into inter-island connectivity, and the Fair Isle ferry replacement project.
Council leader Emma Macdonald said it was “really significant” that the Scottish Government had pledged £10 million of capital funding, having only providing revenue money in recent years.
She also questioned whether the SIC had the staff capacity to carry out the work on exploring a new ferry.
Although Inkster admitted “resources are stretched just keeping day to day services going”, he confirmed external consultants will be used.
Meanwhile during the meeting Inkster also said that alternative propulsion methods would be explored in the process.
Noting difficulties with delivering ferries on the West Coast, committee chair Moraig Lyall said the mention of alternative propulsion made her “slightly nervous” and said she would not want to see hold-ups on the SIC project.
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