More people then ever before are using NorthLink services with the company reporting a rise in passenger numbers of 7.2 percent in the six months between October 2004 and March.

Total passenger traffic climbed to 98,748 journeys, while the Kirkwall-Aberdeen and Lerwick-Aberdeen routes grew by 15.6% and 15.9% respectively.

Numbers on the Pentland Firth route remained stable, with NorthLink continuing to carry more winter passengers on its Stromness-Scrabster sailings than P&O did when it was sole carrier on the Pentland Firth.

2004-05 is the company’s third successive winter of growth. Passenger numbers increased by 38% last year alone and winter numbers have risen by more than 50% in total since NorthLink assumed control of lifeline ferry services to the Northern Isles in 2002.

Gareth Crichton, NorthLink’s commercial director, said: “We are very pleased with these figures, particularly the strong growth shown on the longer routes to and from Aberdeen.

“We are delighted to see so many people sailing over the winter months and believe that the increases reflect NorthLink’s efforts to deliver a high-quality winter service as well as the professionalism and commitment of our staff.”

The summer season is likely to be similarly successful with the company already having received a large number of advance bookings.

“The value of traffic booked over the past two months for travel into the summer is up by almost 30% and the response to our continuing campaign to promote holidaying in Orkney and Shetland has been superb,” added Mr Crichton.