ORKNEY Islands Council has secured £3 million in funding to go towards plans to replace its internal ferry fleet.
The funding, which is coming from the Scottish Government, will help the local authority develop a planned pilot for two new electric ferries.
Orkney Islands Council plans to introduce eight new vessels in total to help better link communities and boost tourism.
The plans include three large ferries to serve the islands of Westray, Stronsay, Sanday and Eday.
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Finance Secretary Shona Robison, who chairs the Orkney Internal Ferry Replacement Task Force, said the announced funding shows further commitment by the Scottish Government to help support key infrastructure projects for the island's communities.
She said: “This funding will enable Orkney Islands Council to take forward its business case to replace its internal ferry fleet. It will also help bring forward their pilot of electric ferries and I am grateful to Orkney Islands Council for its constructive engagement through this process.
“The Scottish Government is committed to working alongside Scotland’s island communities, to empower them to thrive. Since 2021-22 our Islands Programme has distributed more than £12 million to support 61 critical infrastructure projects on 50 islands.
“We are also collaborating with islanders, local authorities and delivery partners to ensure that the new National islands Plan – which we expect to publish next year – meets their needs and supports their ambitions.”
First Minister John Swinney announced a £5m package of support for island communities earlier in May ahead of a new National Islands Plan which is due to be published next year.
Orkney Islands Council Leader Heather Woodbridge said the funding will help to go towards a modern fleet which the island communities both need and deserve.
She said: “The engagement with the Scottish Government through the task force has been extremely constructive – and we very much welcome this funding announcement which puts us on a sure footing as we progress our work at pace on the final business case.
“This funding package is the first financial commitment in the collaborative approach that is being taken to replace Orkney's ageing internal ferry fleet, with discussions continuing on the delivery of the next tranche of business case funding and the shape of the financial model that will allow us to provide a modern ferry fleet that our island communities need and deserve.”
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