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The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Electric ferry begins trial runs between Orkney islands
The boat, named Zevi 1, is being deployed to serve a route that connects the Orkney islands of Shapinsay, Egilsay, Wyre and Rousay with Kirkwall on four daily rotations. The ferry has been built by Artemis Technologies in Belfast and the £15m trial is part of the Electric Orkney project - funded by the UK government's Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (Zevi) fund. Orkney Ferries will begin testing the 12m (39ft) ferry, which can carry a dozen passengers, this week to see how it performs in the sea conditions around the islands. The Zavi 1 will be based in Kirkwall (Image: Colin Keldie) The hydrofoil technology lifts the hull of the vessel above the water, enabling it to travel at high speed. If the Zevi boat performs well it is expected to begin carrying passengers later this summer. "This is a trial and we need to find out how well this new technology will work here," said Orkney Islands councillor Melissa Thomson, who chairs Orkney Ferries. "We are very hopeful this could be a game-changer for faster travel between the islands if things go well." Over the coming months, extensive data will be collected to measure the vessel's efficiency and operational performance. Accompanying the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL in Orkney is the installation of an ultra-fast charger in Kirkwall, which will provide a full charge to the 12 metre vessel in under 60 minutes. The trial will last three years (Image: Colin Keldie) Dr Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies, said: 'Bringing the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL to the islands supports Electric Orkney's ongoing goal of decarbonising transport whilst improving the quality of service for residents and visitors.' READ MORE: Neale Ryan, Head of Land & Maritime Transport at Innovate UK, the main deliver partner of the UK Government's UK SHORE programme, which funds the Electric Orkney project, said: 'We're extremely pleased that another UK SHORE-funded project will now deliver new zero carbon maritime capabilities, this time in Orkney, a community where ferry transport is a key part of daily life.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric hydrofoil ferry begins trials in Orkney
A small, electric passenger ferry is beginning a three-year trial in Orkney. The vessel uses new hydrofoil technology and could cut travel times between islands significantly. The ferry has been built by Artemis Technologies in Belfast and the £15m trial is part of the Electric Orkney project - funded by the UK government's Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (Zevi) fund. If it is approved to carry passengers, the ferry will operate from Kirkwall to the islands of Shapinsay, Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre. Orkney Ferries will begin testing the 12m (39ft) ferry this week to see how it performs in the sea conditions around the islands. The hydrofoil technology lifts the hull of the vessel above the water, enabling it to travel at high speed. If the Zevi boat performs well it is expected to begin carrying passengers later this summer. "This is a trial and we need to find out how well this new technology will work here," said Orkney Islands councillor Melissa Thomson, who chairs Orkney Ferries. "We are very hopeful this could be a game-changer for faster travel between the islands if things go well." Service manager for Orkney Ferries, Eddie Barclay, said the Zevi boat would be put through its paces by experienced local mariners for the next two months. "We need to see how it performs in different sea states and conditions," he said. "The waters around Orkney can be challenging so it will certainly test her handling capabilities." A second larger hydrofoil vessel is due to arrive in the islands at the end of this year. A new fast electric charger is being installed at Kirkwall's harbour which will charge the Zevi's batteries in about one hour. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from Orkney on BBC Sounds The electric hydrofoil is a high-tech addition to Orkney's ferry fleet, but it does not remove the urgent need to replace the islands' ageing internal ferries. Its arrival coincided with the latest meeting of the Scottish government's internal ferry replacement taskforce for the area. It is currently chaired by Finance Secretary Shona Robison who welcomed the arrival the electric ferry. The Scottish government has contributed £3m towards supporting the Zevi trial and also the council's business case for new ferries. Ms Robison said the local authority had plans to introduce eight new vessels in total which would help both tourism and the local community. Orkney to get two electric ferries for trial
STV News
24-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Electric hydrofoil ferry tests pushed back amid months of delays
An electric hydrofoil passenger boat is due to begin testing in Orkney next month after the original arrival dates of January and March came and went. The small vessel, along with another 50-passenger boat, is due to be trialed in the isles county after a successful £15.5m bid was made to the UK Government's Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) Fund. That bid came from Orkney Islands Council-run Orkney Ferries Ltd, Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Dubbed the Electric Orkney project, the aim is to boost the council's decarbonisation efforts. The smaller of the two vessels is due to arrive ahead of the larger one. Before it can start ferrying passengers between Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, Shapinsay, and the Orkney mainland, it needs to undergo sea trials. Following the nearly four-month delay, a team from Orkney will be down with Artemis Technologies in Belfast next week A spokeswoman for the company said the visit will include sea trials and 'final acceptance' of the vessel. It's then expected that the boat will arrive in Orkney 'within a matter of weeks.' The spokesman said: 'With the nature of this type of project and the groundbreaking technology involved, small, not uncommon delays have occurred as efforts to ensure all processes are correct and complete at each milestone are prioritised.' The project presents an exciting, speedy, and cutting-edge way for Orcadians to get around the islands. The hydrofoil technology means the hulls of the vessels will be lifted completely out of the water when they sail. The hope is that the new vessel could bolster the existing council-run ferry service permanently. However, this will depend on how much they are used during the three-year trial The council has been asking the communities on the islands how they might use the additional service. The Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre Development Trust is a development organisation run by the islanders for the benefit of the 260 people who live on the three islands. Its chairman, Peter Roebuck, told the LDR service the communities will welcome the hydrofoil vessels. However, there are still questions and concerns about how they will operate. The project must also not distract from the need to replace Orkney's aging fleet of roll-on, roll-off ferries (Ro-Ro), he says. Mr Roebuck said: 'Our communities welcome the opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of renewable technology in trialling these boats. 'There is a combination of enthusiasm for the potential to improve connectivity between our islands and Mainland Orkney, together with some trepidation about their reliability. 'Also, there is real concern about the impact these boats may have on further extending the timetable for replacing our outdated and aging Ro-Ro ferry. 'The continuing five-year delay on Orkney Harbours Masterplan Phase 2 continues to concern our communities about how and when our Ro-Ro will be replaced. 'So far, we have seen no sign of how passengers will locally embark or disembark these electric hydrofoils at all stages of the tide, nor how the boat will be recharged at terminals outside Kirkwall. 'We look forward to hearing more about when the trial will start, having seen no evidence of the necessary infrastructure being in place for them to start in the coming months.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
