Four Overseas Shipyards Shortlisted for Scotland's $270 Million RoPax Ferry Order

with CMJL (Weihai). The ferries, designed to serve the Aberdeen to Kirkwall/Lerwick route, will replace the aging Helliar and Hildasay vessels. Each new ferry will be 140 meters in length, capable of carrying up to 200 passengers during peak months, with a 1,400 lane meter freight capacity—40 percent more than the current vessels. The contract is expected to be awarded in February 2025, with the new ships entering service in 2029. The decision to shortlist only overseas yards has drawn scrutiny, but Transport Scotland confirmed that no British yards applied. The new vessels will be owned by CMAL and operated by Serco NorthLink.