Ferry Replacement Programme: Phase 1 complete and first images released for consultation

The outline designs for new ferries serving the islands of Westray, Eday, Stronsay and Sanday are now available to view and comment on in advance of upcoming public consultation events at the end of the month.  

Open days and presentations will take place in Westray, Eday, Stronsay and Sanday from 24 September.  An additional open day will also take place in Kirkwall on 29 September.  

The consultation is part of Orkney Islands Council’s work on Phase 1 of the Ferry Replacement Programme.  

In June 2024, the Council agreed that a programme of works should be carried out to develop a Final Business Case for a Ferry Replacement Programme for Orkney – with that programme of works split into two phases. 

Phase 1 is for three large (60m) monohull ferries to serve the outer North Isles (Westray, Stronsay, Sanday and Eday) with existing infrastructure, noting that a dedicated smaller vessel is proposed for the islands of North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray. 

The work on Phase 1 has seen the development of an outline design as well as extensive simulator testing of that design.  

A task force group has also been established - including the Chair and transport representatives from the Community Councils and Community Development Officers in the isles– who have been considering the draft specification and outcomes of the simulation testing before it goes out for wider consultation this month.

The proposed outline design has also been considered by the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team, Elected Members, Board of Orkney Ferries, Orkney Ferries crew and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS). 

Kieron Brogan from the Sanday Development Trust is part of that taskforce group.  He said: “The project team has taken the time to share their plans and involve representation from the communities. It is very clear that a great deal of time and investigation has gone into providing the best ferries possible for the islands. 

“We started the process with a great many questions and have come away with confidence and appreciation for all the work that has been done. The islands cannot exist without the ferries, so I urge all island residents to attend the consultations, view the impressive designs, and understand the journey behind them. It is now vital that we all show support for the new ferries so that the opportunity to move forward is not missed.”   

A report is due to come in front of Councillor’s next month at Development and Infrastructure Commitee to consider the outline vessel design as well as the feedback from the community, before procurements get underway by the end of the year.   

Councillor Kristopher Leask chair the Committee. He said: “This month’s consultation and the upcoming events represent a great opportunity for our island communities to have their say on the proposed designs of their lifeline ferry services.  

“Through the representative taskforce group, the views of the communities have been placed at the heart of the design process – and it’s exciting to be able to now share the resultant designs more widely.  

“As Committee chair, I am looking forward to working with communities at such an important time – and would encourage local people to get involved in the process.” 

All contract awards will be subject to funding, which is being worked on alongside the Scottish Government as part of the Ferries Taskforce.  

Phase 2 of the Ferry Replacement Programmes 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. 

More information on the Ferry Replacement Programme is available here - Ferry Replacement Programme - Update 

For further details or to make comments please email transport@orkney.gov.uk

The plans are available from the Related Downloads section of this page.  The image above shows a direct comparison between the new ferry design and the existing Varagen