Orkney Ferries
| Orkney Ferries logo | |
| Company type | Public (Council-owned) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 21 ports |
Area served | inter-island Orkney |
| Services | Ferries |
| Owner | Orkney Islands Council |
| Website | http://www.orkneyferries.co.uk/ |
Orkney Ferries is a Scottish company operating inter-island ferry services in the Orkney Islands. The company operates ferry services across 15 islands.
History
[edit | edit source]The company is owned by the Orkney Islands Council and was established in 1960 as the Orkney Islands Shipping Company.[1]
In 1991, the Orkney Islands Shipping Company acquired a private sector ferry company also called Orkney Ferries, which had been established to compete on the short sea crossing from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Islands, but which had not succeeded in establishing the route. This company's ferry was assimilated into the inter-island fleet, and in 1995 the Orkney Islands Shipping Company adopted the name Orkney Ferries. Despite this acquisition and change of name, the current Orkney Ferries does not operate services to and from the Scottish mainland, leaving this to other operators such as NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries, which is run by the same people who started the original Orkney Ferries.[1]
Services
[edit | edit source]Orkney Ferries operate between the Orkney mainland and fourteen of the smaller islands.[2] Services include:[1][3]
- The North Isles service, linking Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern isles of Eday, Sanday, Stronsay, Westray, Papay, and North Ronaldsay.
- The Shapinsay service, linking Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern island of Shapinsay.
- The Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre service, linking Tingwall on Orkney Mainland to the northern isles of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre.
- The South Isles service, linking Houton on the Orkney Mainland to the southern islands of Hoy, South Walls and Flotta.
- The Graemsay and North Hoy service, linking Stromness on Orkney Mainland to the southern islands of Hoy and Graemsay.
- The Westray to Papa Westray service, linking the islands of Westray and Papay.
Current fleet
[edit | edit source]Orkney Ferries operates a fleet of inter-island vessels, most of which were specially built for service in the islands. The fleet includes:[1][4]
| Image | Vessel Name | Cars | Passengers | Service | Launched | Shipbuilders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Eynhallow.jpg | MV Eynhallow | 8 (as built) 11 (from 1991) |
95 | Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre (1987 - ) | 1987 | Abels Shipbuilders, Bristol |
| File:Varagen docking at Whitehall 2024-03-30.jpg | MV Varagen | 28 | 142 | North Isles (1991 - ) | 1988 (acquired 1991) | Cochrane Shipbuilders, Selby |
| File:Shapinsay23 BIG.jpg | MV Shapinsay | 11 | 91 | Shapinsay (1988 - ) Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre (relief) |
1988 | Yorkshire Drydock, Hull |
| File:Ship Earl Sigurd 01.jpg | Earl Sigurd | 25 | 190 | North Isles (1989 - ) | 1989 | McTay Marine, Bromborough |
| File:Earl Thorfinn.jpg | Earl Thorfinn | 25 | 190 | North Isles (1989 - ) | 1989 | McTay Marine, Bromborough |
| File:Thorsvoe.jpg | MV Thorsvoe | 16 | 121 | South Isles (1991 - 1994) Shapinsay Relief (1994 - ) |
1991 | Campbeltown Shipyard, Campbeltown |
| File:Hoy Head.jpg | MV Hoy Head (IV) | 16 (as built) 24 (from 2013)[5] |
125 | South Isles (1994 - ) | 1994 | Appledore Shipbuilders, Appledore |
| File:Graemsay MG 6138.jpg | MV Graemsay | 1 | 73 | Graemsay and North Hoy (1996 - ) | 1996 | Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon |
| MV Nordic Sea | N/A | Westray - Papa Westray (2023 - 2025) Relief / Additional |
2012 (acquired 2020) | Norway | ||
| MV Charles Ann II | N/A | 12 | Westray - Papa Westray (2025 - ) | 2012 (acquired 2025) |
MV Nordic Sea was acquired by Orkney Ferries in 2020 to replace MV Golden Mariana. She was to operate on both the Westray to Papa Westray and Graemsay and North Hoy services but has been plagued by issues since arrival.[6]
Former fleet
[edit | edit source]| Image | Vessel Name | Cars | Passengers | Service | Launched | Shipbuilders | Extra Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Ship Golden Mariana 01.jpg | MV Golden Mariana | N/A | 40 | Westray - Papa Westray (1986 - 2023) | 1973 (acquired in 1986) | Bideford Shipyard, Bideford | She was withdrawn from service in October 2023 and sold to Northerly Marine Services in 2024, now operating as a passenger ferry and tour boat for charter. |
| MV Hoy Head (III) | 10 | 93 | South Isles (1986 - 1991)
Relief (1991 - 1994) |
1973 | Thorshavnor Skipasmidja, Faroe Isles | Built for Shetland Island Council Ferries[7][8] | |
| File:MV Islander at North Ronaldsay pier - geograph.org.uk - 710284.jpg | MV Islander | Cargo | 12 | Freight North Isles services (1969 - 1991) | 1969 | John Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen | [9][10] |
| MV Orcadia | Cargo | Passenger North Isles services (1962 - 1990) | 1962 | Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen | [11][12] | ||
| MV Hoy Head (II) | 36 | South Isles (1958 - 1976) | 1955 | George Thomson & Son, Buckie | Built as naval vessel MFV.1258[13][14][15] |
References
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