Early tendering process underway for Ferry Replacement Programme

The tendering process for securing a shipyard for the design and build of new ferries for Phase 1 of Orkney’s Ferry Replacement Programme is underway. 

This first stage of the tendering process sees the Council go out to establish expressions of interest from the industry for taking on the work.  A full tender of the work is dependent on the outcome of this first stage plus confirmation of funding from the Scottish Government.

Phase 1 of the Ferry Replacement Programme is for three replacement 60m vessels serving the islands of Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray, providing increased passenger, vehicle and freight capacity for the islands and significantly improved passenger facilities, with accessibility noted as a key requirement for the design.

The tender will also include an option to build a fourth vessel of the same design subject to suitability for the South Isles network serving the islands of Hoy and Flotta. 

Significant consultation has been carried out across isles communities and Orkney Ferries crew to establish an outline design, which was subsequently agreed by the Council last month - Development and Infrastructure Committee

That consultation led to a number of changes to the outline design including amendments to the food and refreshments kiosk area, creation of a dedicated quiet lounge area with reclining seats and repositioning of seats to allow face to face sitting options for families and groups.

That Outline Design may be subject to change at Final Design stage once operational factors and processes have been considered and class approval has been obtained from the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Interested parties must submit interest by 9 January 2026 with evaluation of submissions to be completed before release of the Invitation to Tender documentation towards the end of January 2026 for shortlisted yards.

A confirmed build programme will be outlined to communities following completion of the tender process and contract award.

Work on Phase 2 is ongoing and will see specifications developed for a large vessel for the South Isles, plus two smaller vessels for Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay and Graemsay and North Hoy. Specifications for two medium sized vessels will also be provided for Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre and for Shapinsay, noting a need for increased capacity on those routes.

Councillor Kristopher Leask is Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, which will oversee the procurement process. He said: “Following the agreement of the outline design for ferries by Council last month, the publication of the Expressions of Interest tender notice represents another milestone moment in this vital project.  We look forward to seeing the interest from industry as we continue to take steps towards securing a new ferry fleet for our isles communities.”