THREE rival Shetland hauliers have joined forces to deal a major blow to NorthLink Ferries, who are due to begin operating the lifeline service between the Scottish mainland and Orkney and Shetland on October 1.
Following failure to negotiate what they believe is a reasonable rate with Northlink, the hauliers, whose business is worth an estimated (pounds) 8m a year, have formed a ferry company to transport their goods - claiming that NorthLink's rates are too expensive.
The trio involved are Jim Brackenridge Transport Ltd (JBT), Shetland Transport and Northwards. Their company, named Norse Island Ferries, will be using two ships - the St Rognvald and the Merchant Venture - and will be offering a daily service from each port six days a week.
The service is scheduled to start at the end of next month. A memorandum of agreement has been signed for acquisition of the St Rognvald. The Merchant Venture is owned by Cenargo, a partner in the venture.
Norse Island Ferries is a joint venture of six companies, with one person from each company sitting on the board of directors. It includes Murray Prentice, managing director of JBT, Hamish Balfour, managing director of Shetland Transport; Neil Leslie, managing director of Northwards; and one from each of the other partners, David Kenwright, managing director of Gulf Offshore; Mike Hendry, chairman of Cenargo, and David Sandison, general manager of Shetland Salmon Farmers' Association.
Mr Prentice said: ''Shetland depends on freight links for movement of food, general goods, fish including salmon, salmon feed, agricultural livestock and materials, which are all vital to the day-to-day running of the community. There is a need for a robust and economic ferry service, and we have the experience and expertise to run this.''
The move was welcomed by Tavish Scott, MSP, who said: ''I welcome the plans for livestock shipment and will certainly support Norse Island Ferries in applying to the Scottish Executive for Tariff Rebate Subsidy, which is of course applicable to all shipping companies carrying livestock, subject to a level playing field for all customers.''
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