NorthLink Ferries will operate a revised timetable between February 17 and March 2, during which time sister ships MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland will each have the opportunity to dry-dock on the Tyne for up to a week.

This year’s dry dock schedule will set the pattern for future years, with NorthLink’s vessels going into dry dock for routine checks each Spring. Having been in service now for four months, there are outstanding guarantee items on the ships that can only be checked in dry dock. Specifically, there is a minor issue with the below-water paint which requires attention.

Over the dry dock period the Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick route will be served by one vessel only, which will travel north one day and south the next. As a result, calls at Hatson, Kirkwall will be reduced, with one southbound call (on a Friday) and one northbound call (on a Sunday) each week. Passengers holding advance pre-paid bookings on Hatston sailings that are to be cancelled will be contacted by NorthLink and offered complimentary travel on an alternative sailing of their choice.

Sailings of NorthLink’s freight vessel, MV Hascosay, will increase during this period in order to ensure a nightly service for northbound freight out of Aberdeen. Sailings on the Pentland Firth route between Scrabster and Stromness are unaffected by the procedure.

Gareth Crichton, NorthLink’s commercial director, said: “It is unfortunate that the frequency of our passenger service will be affected during this period, but dry-docking is necessary at this time and disruptions to the timetable are unavoidable. In setting the pattern for NorthLink’s dry dock routine for years to come, we have looked to replicate the schedule operated previously by P&O.

“The ships may only need to be in dry dock for one or two days, but we have allowed for a week each to be on the safe side. Passengers affected by the changes will be contacted in order that alternative travel arrangements can be made. If anybody has any queries about Northlink’s passenger service during the dry dock period, please contact 0845 6000 449 or log on to www.northlinkferries.co.uk. For queries about freight sailings, please call 01856 851144."