Calls for weekly Bergen sailing to be included in new NorthLink contract

Calls have been raised to reinstate a weekly ferry service to Bergen as part of the next NorthLink contract.

Shetland South councillor Alex Armitage quizzed Transport Scotland officials on the possibility at Tuesday’s external transport forum meeting.

Dr Armitage noted there had been sailings between Shetland and Bergen as part of the old P&O ferries more than 20 years ago.

And he suggested such services could be reinstated as part of the new NorthLink contract, which takes effect from 2028.

“There is demand in Shetland for transport services between Shetland and Norway,” he said.

“Since we lost the Smyril Line, it struck me that as we have increased flexibility with these two new freight ferries it is something that might appear possible in the future as part of the new contract.”

Dr Armitage was referring to the two new freighter-flex vessels, which will offer increased passenger capacity – of up to 200 people per sailing – when they enter service in 2029.

Transport Scotland’s David Laing said the Bergen sailing was not something he was currently aware of but he would “take that back” for consideration.

And his colleague David Torrence said that while the business case for the new freight ferries was based on their current timetable – changes could be considered as part of a community needs assessment.

Mr Laing also provided an update on the new contract, which his team has been progressing through an outline business case.

Next, he said it would be taken to Transport Scotland’s investment decision board.

Mr Laing said a notice published on the Public Contracts Scotland website to gauge market interest had received “quite positive engagement”.

Forum chairwoman Moraig Lyall suggested the new contract may be able to address the current disparity between Orkney and Shetland in terms of overall passenger capacity.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining connections between the island groups, she noted that the additional ferry services to Orkney - the Hamnavoe and Pentland Ferries’ Pentalina  - meant “multiple times” more people could travel in and out of Orkney compared to Shetland.

Given both islands had similar populations and Shetland “arguably” had more projects under way that required freight, Mrs Lyall suggested it was an issue that would would be important to keep in mind for the new contract.