Essential upgrades to ferry infrastructure serving several of Orkney’s North Isles are set to move forward after a £1.8 million contract was awarded to a Shetland engineering firm.
Orkney Islands Council has appointed Malakoff to carry out improvements to linkspan control systems at four key island piers, helping secure the future operation of lifeline ferry services.
The project will involve the renewal of control cabins, installation of new control systems and replacement of hydraulic cylinders at Eday Pier, Loth Pier in Sanday, Whitehall Pier in Stronsay and Rapness Pier in Westray.
The investment was approved through the council’s Capital Project Appraisal process last November and is being funded through the Miscellaneous Piers and Harbours Fund.
Work is expected to begin in December and continue through to March 2027, with each location scheduled to undergo around two weeks of construction activity.
The improvements are aimed at increasing the reliability and efficiency of berthing operations while replacing infrastructure that has served island communities for more than three decades.
Councillor Mellissa Thomson, who represents the North Isles and chairs the Orkney Ferries Board, said:
“The control infrastructure that sits around our isles linkspans are critical assets which at 35 years old are in poor condition and reaching the end of their operational life.
“Their replacement is vital to continued lifeline ferry operations and I am pleased to see that the work will get underway this year following contract award.”
For island residents, ferry services are more than a transport link.
They are a vital connection to healthcare, education, employment, supplies and everyday life across the islands and mainland Orkney.
The planned programme of works will begin at Eday in December before moving to Sanday in January, Stronsay in February and Rapness in Westray during March.
With the contract now awarded, attention turns to delivering the upgrades and ensuring the infrastructure underpinning some of Orkney’s most important ferry routes remains fit for the future.
