Aker Finnyards, the Finnish shipyard that built NorthLink’s passenger fleet, was honoured at the ferry industry’s Oscars this week, picking up the award for ‘Most Significant New Build – Ferry’.

The yard was shortlisted for two of its recent build programmes - the NorthLink family of ferries and the SeaFrance Rodin – and scooped first spot for its work on the Rodin.

The award is a particularly significant achievement given the vast number of ferries built in the two years since the award was last made. Aker Finnyards earned the same accolade in 2001.

The prize was awarded at Wednesday’s (May 14) second biennial Cruise and Ferry Awards, held at the Hilton Metropole in London. More than 800 industry professionals attended the awards dinner and conference which was hosted by Radio 4’s Today programme presenter, John Humphrys. The awards were judged by a seven-strong panel of industry experts, including Trevor Blakeley, chief executive of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Bill Davidson, NorthLink’s chief executive who represented the company at the ceremony, said: “Although our fleet didn’t ultimately take first-spot in this category, even to make it on to a worldwide shortlist of eight is a great achievement. We can be proud of the fact that the yard that built MV Hjaltland, MV Hrossey and MV Hamnavoe has been recognised as the best in its field for the second time running. I’d like to extend my congratulations to Aker Finnyards on this award.”