Danish naval architecture practice Knud E Hansen is to provide the outline design for three new ferries for Orkney Islands Council in Scotland.
The new ferries will serve the outer North Isles (Westray, Stronsay, Sanday, and Eday) using existing infrastructure, with a smaller vessel proposed for the islands of North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray. The 60m long ferries will have diesel-electric/battery-hybrid machinery with five gensets, powering two Voith Schneider propellers. They will have capacity for 192 passengers plus 34 cars.
Future plans include a larger vessel for the South Isles, plus two smaller vessels, as well as two medium-sized vessels or Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, and Shapinsay, meeting a demand for extra capacity on those routes.
Orkney Ferries, owned by Orkney Islands Council, currently operates three ro-pax vessels delivered in the 1980s.
Image: Knud E Hansen is producing the outline design for new hybrid Orkney ferries (source: Knud E Hansen)
