Transport / Plans for new freight vessels go on show
External transport forum chair councillor Moraig Lyall said she is keen to see progression towards construction ‘as soon as possible’
PEOPLE were able to get a further glimpse into what new Northern Isles freight vessels may look like at a consultation event on Tuesday afternoon.
Although a lot of the details were already in the public domain, some of the new information provided included passenger area layouts.
The prospect of replacements for NorthLink’s freight vessels Hildasay and Helliar have long been mooted and there has been some frustration locally at the time taken to make progress.
A timeline given at Tuesday’s event at the Shetland Museum and Archives said the two new long-awaited ‘freight flex’ ships could be delivered in 2029.
But the message was repeated that at this moment funding is not committed for the project and that public finances are challenging, which could impact on timelines for procurement.
The project involves three key bodies: Transport Scotland, the government agency which contracts out the service, operator Serco NorthLink and CMAL, which owns ferries on behalf of the Scottish Government.
CMAL’s technical manager Lewis Hammell said the event had been busy, with a generally positive response.
Chair of Shetland’s external transport forum councillor Moraig Lyall said it was positive to “see a good number of people going in” to look at the plans and provide comment.
“The key moment we are waiting for now is the decision regarding the funding which is expected early next month,” she said.
“Pressing forward to tender and construction as soon as possible is what we need to be seeing.”
The proposed new designs feature around 33 per cent more freight capacity – and in a significant change, a sizeable number of passenger cabins which would be located on a separate deck.
It is said the preferred freight flex option would have capacity for 200 passengers.
It is proposed that there would be 58 en-suite cabins, and 192 beds.
The hope is that this accommodation could ease pressure on the NorthLink passenger vessels during peak points and dry dock periods.
Plans include a cafe and bar on board for passengers, as well as seating, lounge and luggage areas.
The information boards added that during quieter periods the passenger and retail spaces could be closed off to save energy, heating and cleaning time.
People at Tuesday’s event were told that the vessels’ new design would come in at 140 metres in length, which is around 18 metres longer than the existing freight boats.
It is said that 140 metres is the maximum length of ship which can safely operate within the port of Aberdeen.
The vessels would continue to be powered by traditional fuel but the plan is for engines to be methanol ready.
There would be 1,400 metres of trailer lane space, compared to 1,055 metres on the Hildasay and Helliar.
The proposed freight flex design comes with a maximum speed of 20 knots, compared to the current 16.
The consultation displays said this maximum speed of 20 knots would be for southbound journeys carrying time sensitive freight.
They added that the “service speed” would be 14 knots, which is one knot higher than the current freight vessels.
The latest timeline is for a funding decision in April or May, with procurement commencing in the second quarter of 2025.
Although there are “wider pressures on public funding” transport officials are keen to develop the project in advance of the final go-ahead to ensure it can proceed to tender as soon as possible.
A shipyard could be appointed in 2026, set to be abroad due to the size of the ships, with vessels potentially being delivered in 2029.
No port upgrades would be required to accommodate the new boats but there could be some work carried out in Lerwick and Aberdeen due to equipment reaching life expectancy, such as linkspans.
The consultation displays highlighted that the boats will continue to operate from their respective freight berths at each port, which makes passenger access more challenging.
Options are being explored with port authorities, but the boats could take on passengers via the car decks, or through a passenger system/gangway via an access door on the side.
Regarding shore power, the boats would “plug in” when tied up during the day in Aberdeen and Lerwick to “deal with the vessels’ hotel load and for the charging of batteries”.
The displays also said the design, layout and facilities of the passenger areas “aligns to best practice and legislative equality and accessibility guidance, standards and requirements as far as practicable for vessels of this size and class”.
People in Orkney, meanwhile, will get a visit from the consultation event on Thursday.
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