Post by ferryfast admin on Mar 7, 2006 23:36:48 GMT -5
Debate opens on future ferries
Hans J Marter
Shetland News
www.shetland-news.co.uk/
7 March, 2006
THE FUTURE of the lifeline ferry service to Shetland is being discussed at a meeting in the North Atlantic Fisheries Centre, in Scalloway, on Thursday.
Shetland Islands Council has invited a long list of interested parties to kick start a debate designed to overcome alleged shortcomings of the present service provided by NorthLink ferries.
The meeting follows a damning report by shipping expert Dr Alf Baird who labelled the NorthLink ferries "the most inefficient and environmentally unfriendly ships built in recent years".
Dr Baird, of Napier University, will give a presentation of his findings, published in January in the Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) report 'Future Options for Northern Isles Ferry Services'.
Dr Baird criticised the NorthLink vessels Hjaltland and Hrossey for their lack of cargo capacity, their high fuel costs and argued that for the same amount of money (£30 million each) far more suitable vessels could have been built.
He said that replacing the two vessels plus the two supporting cargo vessels on the Shetland - Kirkwall - Aberdeen route with two larger and more efficient ferries would result in savings of around £10 million per annum.
He also opened up the debate as to whether Aberdeen was the most suitable port of call on the Scottish mainland given the limitations of the harbour's size, and suggested Peterhead and/or Rosyth as alternative options.
Subsequently, representatives from all three harbours are invited to the meeting and are expected to attend.
Bill Davidson, the chief executive of NorthLink said last night: "We have read Alf Baird's paper with interest and look forward to
listening to the debate on Thursday. The current vessels and services were provided to meet the contract specification issued by the Scottish Executive following consultation.
"Our staff have worked extremely hard to create the current high standard of service, which has been used by an ever increasing number of people. If, in the future, a different specification were to be issued then, possibly, different vessels operating to different ports would be required."
Speaking ahead of Thursday's debate, the council infrastructure committee's vice chairman Alistair Inkster said: "We hope for a big turnout, because this debate is very, very important for a place like Shetland."
Islanders are currently waiting for the Scottish Executive to announce the preferred bidder on the northern isles route, which is due to be taken over by a new provider from summer onwards, after NorthLink's contract had to be re-tendered due to the exceptionally high amount of additional subsidies paid.
Scottish transport minister and local MSP Tavish Scott has also been invited to the meeting but is unlikely to attend as ministerial and parliamentary business requires him to be in Edinburgh on Thursdays.
Had the SIC organised the meeting for either a Monday or a Friday he would have been more than happy to attend, he said.
The public meeting starts at 10.30am.
Hans J Marter
Shetland News
www.shetland-news.co.uk/
7 March, 2006
THE FUTURE of the lifeline ferry service to Shetland is being discussed at a meeting in the North Atlantic Fisheries Centre, in Scalloway, on Thursday.
Shetland Islands Council has invited a long list of interested parties to kick start a debate designed to overcome alleged shortcomings of the present service provided by NorthLink ferries.
The meeting follows a damning report by shipping expert Dr Alf Baird who labelled the NorthLink ferries "the most inefficient and environmentally unfriendly ships built in recent years".
Dr Baird, of Napier University, will give a presentation of his findings, published in January in the Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) report 'Future Options for Northern Isles Ferry Services'.
Dr Baird criticised the NorthLink vessels Hjaltland and Hrossey for their lack of cargo capacity, their high fuel costs and argued that for the same amount of money (£30 million each) far more suitable vessels could have been built.
He said that replacing the two vessels plus the two supporting cargo vessels on the Shetland - Kirkwall - Aberdeen route with two larger and more efficient ferries would result in savings of around £10 million per annum.
He also opened up the debate as to whether Aberdeen was the most suitable port of call on the Scottish mainland given the limitations of the harbour's size, and suggested Peterhead and/or Rosyth as alternative options.
Subsequently, representatives from all three harbours are invited to the meeting and are expected to attend.
Bill Davidson, the chief executive of NorthLink said last night: "We have read Alf Baird's paper with interest and look forward to
listening to the debate on Thursday. The current vessels and services were provided to meet the contract specification issued by the Scottish Executive following consultation.
"Our staff have worked extremely hard to create the current high standard of service, which has been used by an ever increasing number of people. If, in the future, a different specification were to be issued then, possibly, different vessels operating to different ports would be required."
Speaking ahead of Thursday's debate, the council infrastructure committee's vice chairman Alistair Inkster said: "We hope for a big turnout, because this debate is very, very important for a place like Shetland."
Islanders are currently waiting for the Scottish Executive to announce the preferred bidder on the northern isles route, which is due to be taken over by a new provider from summer onwards, after NorthLink's contract had to be re-tendered due to the exceptionally high amount of additional subsidies paid.
Scottish transport minister and local MSP Tavish Scott has also been invited to the meeting but is unlikely to attend as ministerial and parliamentary business requires him to be in Edinburgh on Thursdays.
Had the SIC organised the meeting for either a Monday or a Friday he would have been more than happy to attend, he said.
The public meeting starts at 10.30am.