Anger after NorthLink Shetland ferry 'blocked' in Leith dry dock by another ship
Vessel’s departure delayed by three days
One of Scotland’s biggest ferry operators has been angered after a vessel was stuck in a dry dock in Leith by another ship unloading wind farm equipment, threatening the transport of fish from Shetland.
NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett is understood to be “fairly dismayed” that its Helliar freight ferry was unable to leave on Monday as scheduled following maintenance work on the vessel.
It was finally able to leave on Thursday morning after the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency said on Wednesday night that it had intervened to resolve the situation.
It said ministers were “disappointed” the situation had arisen and had ordered a review into why it happened.
Forth Ports said on Wednesday it was focused on speeding up the unloading work so Helliar could leave on Thursday morning.
NorthLink confirmed that had happened and ferry was sailing to Aberdeen, with its next scheduled departure for Shetland at 6pm on Friday.
However, it remained unclear as to why NorthLink appears not to have been informed about the restriction on Helliar’s departure.
Forth Ports said all its tenants were told of the long-planned operation and it did not know why one of them, Dales Marine, which undertook the work on Helliar for NorthLink, may not have been aware.
However, Dales said its customers used agents to manage access to the port, and it was their responsibility “to manage communications regarding the ability to enter and exit”.
NorthLink said it only became aware on Sunday that Helliar would be delayed leaving when staff heard the information from the harbour master.
The firm fears it could be marooned in the dock as late as Friday while Xiang Tai Kou, a ship in an outer berth, is offloading eight 2,300 tonne monopiles (giant steel pipes) used in the foundations of offshore wind farms, after docking on Saturday.
It is understood the main impact of the delay will be on exporting short shelf-life fish and shellfish from Shetland as there is no space on NorthLink’s passenger ferries this week because of extra school holiday traffic.
Seafood Shetland urged the Scottish Government to intervene to ensure the ferry’s “immediate release”.
Chief executive Ruth Henderson said: “Despite NorthLink Ferries’ best efforts, Forth Ports clearly do not appreciate how fundamental this vessel is to Shetland and how vital it is that our perishable product reaches the seafood industry’s national and international markets on time.
“Holding the Helliar has serious financial implications for both suppliers and their customers.”
Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott said: “I’m flabbergasted that Forth Ports is holding up a lifeline ferry in Leith, with serious consequences for seafood exports from Shetland.
“Every hour the vessel is stuck means lost income for island communities and damaged confidence in the reliability of this essential route.“
“This situation needs to be resolved immediately. I expect the transport minister to contact the chair of Forth Ports to ensure the Helliar is released without further delay so vital supplies and our world-class product can get to market.”
A spokesperson for NorthLink, which operates ferries to and from Orkney and Shetland, said on Tuesday: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, freight vessel Helliar has been unable to depart from Leith as scheduled.
“Helliar successfully underwent dry dock maintenance at the Dales’ facility in Leith to remove polypropylene fishing rope from its port propeller seal.
“Freight operations have so far continued seamlessly, thanks to the chartering of the Arrow as relief tonnage.”
However, the vessel has since been chartered by CalMac on the west coast.
The spokesperson added: “When preparing to leave dry dock, NorthLink Ferries was advised by Forth Ports that Helliar could not exit the basin due to another vessel having been positioned, blocking the entrance.”
Mr Garrett said: "We are committed to providing a lifeline service to the Northern Isles and fully recognise the importance of these freight services to the communities we serve, particularly the fishing and farming industries and all ‘just in time’ traffic.
"We understand the impact of this disruption on local communities, especially during the busy school holiday period, when [passenger ferries] Hjaltland and Hrossey are committed to pre-booked traffic.
“I am engaged in dialogue with Forth Ports to help them understand the impact of this operational decision.”
A spokesperson from Forth Ports said on Tuesday: “All vessel movements at the Port of Leith are planned well in advance.
“All port tenants were informed that there would be limited lock access at the Port of Leith this week.
“NorthLink Ferries is a customer of our tenant, Dales Marine, and we are working to ensure that the ferry can depart at the earliest possible opportunity.
“While the outer berth is in use and accommodating substantial vessels such as the Xiang Tai Kou, there is insufficient space for large vessels such as Helliar to navigate the lock entrance.”
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Forth Ports said: “Our focus is on expediting the unloading operations on the outer berth with a view to enabling the Helliar to leave the port tomorrow morning, subject to the completion of these operations.”
A spokesperson for Dales Marine said: “Although we know restrictions can be put in place, Dales does not control port access. Forth Ports and local vessel agents communicate this to vessel owners/users and review schedules. Dales can only provide scheduling for our dry dock, noting when it’s available.
“We appreciate the issues that this has caused for the lifeline services and have done what we can to get this vessel turned around as quickly as possible.”
Dales said it was aware of the potential for port access to be restricted due to vessels unloading, but it did not control that and “is limited to what can be done for our clients”.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said on Wednesday evening: “We are aware that due to another vessel blocking the entrance to the Port of Leith, Helliar is delayed in returning to service.
“We fully understand how frustrating this must be for communities in the Northern Isles who rely on freight services to and from the mainland.
“Alongside direct contact from senior NorthLink personnel, ministers have been in communication with Forth Ports to resolve the situation.
“Ministers were disappointed that this situation has arisen at all and that it has taken their intervention to make clear to Forth Ports how important it is for the boat to be returned to service without delay, and to allow Shetland farmers and fishers in particular to get stock off the island as soon as possible.
“It will be important that a review of how this issue occurred is undertaken and officials have been asked to make sure this takes place.
“We understand that Forth Ports are doing everything they can to create a window tomorrow to allow Helliar to be released and return to service. We continue to monitor the situation closely.”
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