Wishart reveals Serco NorthLink’s performance penalties

Beatrice Wishart, has revealed 54 penalties have been issued to Northern Isles Ferry Service operator Serco NorthLink since 2019. Penalties between July 2019 and June 2024 totalled £139,248, while the costs for the period covering July 2024 to March 2025, which includes 20 penalties, has not yet been reconciled.

Penalties for cancellations and delays were largely due to technical and mechanical issues:

• 16 sailings were cancelled due to delays in dry dock
• 13 penalties issued were based on technical issues
• Delays from mechanical issues included: Ro-ro issues, Passenger Embarkation door control fault and adjustments needed to the propulsion system

There were no performance deductions issued in the 2020 – 2022 period due to Covid relief.

Early last month Ms Wishart welcomed an answer from the Scottish Government to her question on funding for new freight flex vessels. The response highlighted that the funding for a ‘potential contract start’ had been identified within the 2025-26 budget with an anticipated contract signing after a two stage competitive procurement in early 2026. At the time, Ms Wishart commented that we are “still in the foothills of the process and will continue to face constrained capacity for several years ahead.”

Ms Wishart commented:

“Staff at Serco NorthLink should be praised for all the work they do to keep the lifeline ferry service running and it goes without saying that sailing safely is of paramount importance. There will, however, always be unforeseen circumstances and inclement weather that impact sailings.

“What is clear is that the technical issues, mechanical faults and delayed time in dry dock point to the vessels on the route aging and requiring more time for maintenance. The simple fact is that these vessels are 23 years old and will need to retire from the route.  Meanwhile new replacement passenger vessels must be in the pipeline in addition to the ‘freight flex’ vessels which are expected in 2029-30.

“For too long the Scottish Government has sat on their hands while Scotland’s ferry infrastructure has aged. There needs to be a plan in place to ensure that we do not see a repeat of the ferry fiasco on the Northern Isles route like that which has plagued communities on the West Coast.”

You can find details about Ms Wishart’s freight flex ferry question here.