Chartwell Marine has announced an order for a new Fair Isle ferry to supply to Shetland Islands Council. The vessel is due to commence build at Parkol Marine Engineering, a leading bespoke shipbuilder, and is due to launch towards the end of 2026.
The new ferry will replace the 1986-built ‘Good Shepherd’ and provide a vital transport link between Fair Isle and the Shetland mainland. The vessel is designed for various operational roles and features an optimised hull and propulsion system that will enable it to safely, comfortably and efficiently transport up to 12 passengers and cargo in challenging waters around the Shetland Isles. The vessel is also roll-on roll-off (‘Ro-Ro’) capable, meaning vehicles can drive on and off the ferry at ports where suitable linkspans and facilities exist.
Councillor Moraig Lyall, Chair of Shetland Islands Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, said: “After a competitive tendering process, we were pleased to award the contract for this vessel to Parkol Marine Engineering to design and build the new Fair Isle ferry. We are trusting the maritime expertise of Parkol and Chartwell Marine to create a robust and versatile ferry to serve the needs of the Fair Isle community. We look forward to seeing progress on the vessel build in the coming months ahead of anticipated completion in late 2026.”
Chris O’Neill, Technical Director at Chartwell Marine, said: “We’re deeply honoured that Parkol has appointed Chartwell Marine to develop the design of the new Fair Isle ferry for Shetland Islands Council. Utilising the latest technologies and CFD design techniques, we have developed a highly capable, multi-purpose ferry that will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient transportation of people and goods between Fair Isle and the Shetland Mainland. The project marks a key milestone in our expansion into the ferry market, and we will continue to utilise our design expertise to drive further innovation across the sector.”
Sally Atkinson, Commercial Director at Parkol Marine Engineering, said: “Fair Isle needs a reliable vessel that can perform in tough conditions, without compromise. Working closely with Chartwell Marine, we’re building a ferry that’s robust, efficient and built to last, with advanced capabilities that will enable it to transport residents and goods safely and comfortably between Fair Isle and the Shetland mainland for years to come.”
The ferry has been designed to the Shetland Islands Council’s exact requirements and has a bulbous bow, enhanced hull and changeable pitch propeller system that will enable it to operate effectively in rough waters around Fair Isle. It also has a large storage hold, a crane to lift cars and large containers onto shore and accommodation for four crew members, making it a highly versatile vessel.
The vessel is IMO Tier-3 emissions compliant, and the engine will be able to use diesel alternatives, which will help the vessel to reduce its environmental impact.
Chartwell Marine expanded into the ferry market in 2024 with the hire of Christophe Rident. Since then, Chartwell Marine has been involved in three ferry projects and is set to continue this momentum into 2026.
