NorthLink clarifies position
on shore activities tender

In response to concerns being raised in Shetland and Orkney, NorthLink Ferries, has refuted accusations that it is seeking to out jobs in the islands.

NorthLink's Commercial Director Gareth Crichton said: "We have from the outset stated that we would take on all the existing seafaring employees and in all likelihood would need to recruit additional staff to operate the vessels.

"NorthLink will operate bigger ships with more frequent sailings and grow traffic levels. As a result this will also require shore facilities to be open longer and in turn generate further work."

Crichton added "Our position on haulage and groupage work has not changed, these elements do not form part of the contract for the mutes and it has never been our intention to enter the haulage business. We have also made it clear that we did not want to operate a stevedoring business (loading vessels etc). Our aim is to be a very good 'roll-on/roll-ofr ferry operator and we believe that others are far better equipped to provide these shore based services than we are."

Commenting on local concerns which have focused on shore services, Crichton said: "The existing reservation and ticketing offices will be open longer, for example Stromness and Scrabster offices will be open almost 16 hours per day throughout the year. Aberdeen and Lerwick will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and there will be a new office at Hatston in Kirkwall."

NorthLink's Chief Executive John Horton commented on the recent withdrawal of preferred bidder status for the proposed P& 0 management buy-out team and subsequent tendering of shore services.

He said: "Obviously we cannot discuss detailed aspects of their initial bid. What I can say is, that they offered to meet our requirements for the level of service to be provided but we have been unable to reach agreement on the commercial terms. It is this aspect that we are now seeking to market test.

"As we have said since our appointment, Northlink services will be much simpler than the composite haulage business operated by P&O. We understand that this involves change to the non-ferry activities and that this is a cause of concern and uncertainty to the staff. However we believe that we have properly specified the shore activities required for the additional ferry services we will provide. It is difficult therefore for us to understand concerns about reduction in work that stem from this."