Transport / Japanese pods will be considered for new freight ferries, Transport Scotland confirms
JAPANESE-style horizontal sleeping pods are being considered for two new proposed freight vessels, Transport Scotland has confirmed.
Scottish Greens has started a petition for the pods, which allow people to sleep horizontally overnight, to be included in the designs for two mooted “freighter-plus” ferries.
The vessels will replace the Helliar and Hildasay on the Northern Isles route if approved by the Scottish Government, and would offer additional freight and passenger capacity.
Each would have the ability to transport an additional 200 passengers between Lerwick, Kirkwall and Aberdeen, with the aim of easing pressure on the Hjaltland and Hrossey in peak and dry dock periods.
Green councillor Alex Armitage has continually called on Transport Scotland and designer Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) to introduce horizontal pods to replace the existing controversial “sleeping pods” used on the Hrossey and Hjaltland.
One option he has cited is sleeping pods used in Japanese hotels, known as capsule hotels, which offer cheap and basic overnight accommodation.
And Armitage said they had been introduced to ferries owned by cruise company Stena Line “with great success”.
Transport Scotland confirmed that “Japanese style sleeping pods” were one of the options currently “being considered” as part of the plans.
A decision on whether funding can go ahead for the two ferries is expected to be made next month.
Armitage has repeatedly raised concerns that passengers currently have nowhere to lie flat overnight, unless they pay for a cabin.
And he has said drivers could be affected by the lack of sleep the following day if they have long journeys to make after leaving the boat.
“Over the last few years there have been too many nights where local people have been unable to find somewhere horizontal to sleep on the north boat,” Armitage said in the petition.
“Much of the problem lies in the fact that many people who travel to Shetland are single travellers.”
Armitage said these passengers were either forced to book out a cabin to themselves, which could make as many as three beds unused and would be expensive, or forego a horizontal sleep.
No single-occupancy sleeping spaces were shown however, South Mainland councillor Armitage said, and he urged the public to make their views known on what they wanted for the new vessels.
“Now is the critical moment for our community to be intervening to influence the designs.
“On overnight ferry routes, lying horizontally should be the default mode of passenger accommodation.
“A comfortable night’s sleep in horizontal position should be a necessity, not a luxury.
“Once built, these ships will be providing an overnight service to our islands for decades to come.
“It’s vital that current and future generations of islanders can travel affordably, comfortably and securely.”
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 proposed that there would be 58 en-suite cabins, and 192 beds.
Plans include a cafe and bar on board for passengers, as well as seating, lounge and luggage areas.
If approved, the two long-awaited “freight-flex” vessels could arrive in 2029.
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