The Scottish Government is to contribute £3million towards replacing Orkney’s ageing internal ferry fleet.
Leader of Orkney Islands Council Heather Woodbridge said:
“The engagement with the Scottish Government through the task force has been extremely constructive – and we very much welcome this funding announcement which puts us on a sure footing as we progress our work at pace on the final business case.
“This funding package is the first financial commitment in the collaborative approach that is being taken to replace Orkney’s ageing internal ferry fleet, with discussions continuing on the delivery of the next tranche of business case funding and the shape of the financial model that will allow us to provide a modern ferry fleet that our island communities need and deserve.”
Orkney’s inter island ferry fleet is run by Orkney Ferries, and owned by OIC. It is planned to have eight new vessels, including two electric ferries and three larger ferries.
Electric Ferries
OIC received £15million from the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) scheme, funded by UK government and delivered by Innovate UK, to develop a pilot programme of running two electric ferries. The project is led by Artemis Technologies, who are working alongside experts at Orkney Ferries and the European Marine Energy Centre.
The project plans to demonstrate the feasibility of diesel replacements with two highly innovative hydrofoil vessels. The first, a 12-person workboat vessel, will connect an inner island route in four daily rotations. The second is a larger vessel with the capacity to support 50 passengers and light cargo in journeys up to five times a day around outer island routes. The project will design, deploy and operate shore-based, DC fast-charging infrastructure at two locations in Orkney. This includes undertaking the necessary work to incorporate the docking of the vessel and housing of the charging elements into existing space within the harbour.
The Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison also chairs the Orkney Internal Ferry Replacement Task Force. She said:
“This funding will enable Orkney Islands Council to take forward its business case to replace its internal ferry fleet. It will also help bring forward their pilot of electric ferries and I am grateful to Orkney Islands Council for its constructive engagement through this process.
“The Scottish Government is committed to working alongside Scotland’s island communities, to empower them to thrive. Since 2021-22 our Islands Programme has distributed more than £12 million to support 61 critical infrastructure projects on 50 islands.
“We are also collaborating with islanders, local authorities and delivery partners to ensure that the new National islands Plan – which we expect to publish next year – meets their needs and supports their ambitions.”
Fiona Grahame