Pentland Ferries has today confirmed an extension to CalMac Ferries’ hire of its vessel MV Alfred for an additional six months. The company’s sister ship, the MV Pentalina, will continue to operate the St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay service while the MV Alfred will provide resilience on the Clyde and Hebrides network.
Managing director of Pentland Ferries, Helen Inkster, said: “I can confirm that, following the successful deployment of MV Alfred on the West Coast routes over recent months, we have signed an agreement with CalMac Ferries for an additional six-month charter.
“This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, but it is a move that will strengthen the business and allow us to develop and invest in the future of the service, while providing continued resilience on CalMac’s West Coast routes.
“As an immediate result of this arrangement, we are able to announce that we will freeze fares for our passengers on the route up to the end of March 2025, an initiative that would not have been possible without the CalMac charter.
“With both the MV Alfred and the MV Pentalina continuing in operation, we will also be maintaining an expanded workforce while continuing to deliver a service fully focused on our passengers.
“We now look forward to continuing to work with CalMac Ferries and serving the island communities in both Orkney and the west of Scotland.”
Bookings on the Pentland Firth route are now open until 31 October 2024.