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15 December, 2009
ISLANDERS are being invited to name a new cargo vessel that
ferry operators NorthLink are introducing to the northern
isles next month.
The new 122 metre ro-ro cargo boat Shield
will replace the 38 year old Hascosay, which has
insufficient vehicle deck capacity to meet demand at peak
periods such as the livestock season.
The 10 year old Shield is being time-chartered from
its owners Seatruck Ferries of Heysham, while Hascosay
is sold.
The introduction of a modern and larger cargo vessel will
have no impact on plans for a complete new build, which are
being developed by Shetland transport partnership ZetTrans,
in collaboration with possible funding bodies.
Transport development officer Ken Duerden yesterday (Monday)
welcomed NorthLink's announcement, saying the new boat will
bring much needed extra capacity to the route.
Like Hascosay the new ship can also accommodate up to
12 passengers, but her twin bunk cabins are en suite.
Prior to entering service with NorthLink, the new vessel
will go to the Cammell Laird shipyard, at Birkenhead, to
have the stern ramp modified so it will fit the linkspan in
Lerwick.
Arrangements are also being made for the fitting of the
water distribution system, |
which connects to the new
livestock containers.
NorthLink chief executive Bill Davidson said the quest to
source a suitable replacement for Hascosay had been
going on for some time.
"We anticipate that Shield's twin internal freight
decks will provide more than enough capacity to satisfy
demand in all but the busiest of periods such as the height
of the livestock season,” he said.
“However, we also have additional capacity on the weather
deck for accommodating hazardous cargo or for use during
extreme peak periods."
He said that assurances have been given to the 40 crew
members on Hascosay that they will be retained and
redeployed on the company's other vessels.
The shipping company would now like to hear suggestions from
islanders for a new name for Shield. The move echoes
a competition to name NorthLink’s ferries and cargo boat
when they originally won the government's lifeline service
in 2002.
NorthLink commercial director Cynthia Spencer said: "We are
inviting islanders to send us suggestions which ideally
should fit in with the names of the existing fleet. We will
then choose the most appropriate from those entered.
"The winning entry will secure for its author the prize of
four return trips with cabin for two and car (or equivalent)
on one of our passenger ships and also the honour of being
centre-stage at the formal naming ceremony early in the New
Year.
"If the winner would prefer to travel on ‘their’ freight
vessel then I'm sure that can be arranged!"
Competition entries should be received by Monday 4 January
2010 and emailed to:
shipname@northlinkferries.co.uk Participants
should remember to enclose their name, address and a contact
phone number |
