Dedicated freight vessel will strengthen services for Scottish islands

A freight vessel will also function as a public ferry service where necessary.

A dedicated freight vessel will allow SSEN Transmission to provide logistics support for its Lewis Hub and Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link, safeguarding ferry services.

A release mechanism will allow the vessel, the MV Arrow, to be used by others when not required for project delivery, strengthening the islands’ ferry network.

It means that logistics can be managed without disrupting existing public ferry operations, which is essential for the more remote communities that depend on ferries for goods and travel.

Collaboration with Stornoway Port, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Ullapool Harbour Trust, with additional support from Transport Scotland, CMAL, and CalMac was towards a shared goal: identifying freight solutions that avoid adding pressure to existing services.

SSEN Transmission is also working with Loganair on travel arrangements for non-island-based staff, as most travel by air. Existing services will be used where capacity is available without disrupting local use, and charter flights will be considered if they are deemed necessary.

Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN Transmission, said: “Securing the MV Arrow gives us the confidence and operational capacity to deliver the Lewis Hub project without placing additional pressure on the ferry services island communities depend on.

“It forms a key part of our integrated logistics approach, providing the certainty and flexibility needed to move people and materials efficiently while safeguarding local transport networks.”

Protecting essential island services has been a key part of planning for the Lewis Hub, which will involve the construction of an HVDC converter station and AC substation near Stornoway.