NorthLink Ferries is targeting a substantial increase in ferry usage during the winter months by extending promotions to islanders and tourists between November and March.

The lifeline service provider hopes to effect a marked increase in the number of passengers choosing to use the service during winter months characterised by shorter days and changeable weather.

The new NorthLink contract includes a commitment to continue to market the services to islanders and visitors alike.

Promotional deals announced by NorthLink this week include:

On the Lerwick-Aberdeen route (MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey):

• a discounted fare for islander non-commercial cars of £99 return and £130 return for visitors if accompanied (subject to conditions).
• a reduced price on all sailings under the cabin-share scheme, which will lower the cost of a bed in a shared 4 berth cabin from £18 to just £13
• for the travel trade, a new rate for dinner, bed and breakfast packages designed to encourage active promotion of winter holiday packages in the Northern Isles.

On the Pentland Firth route (MV Hamnavoe):

• a special fare for visitors departing Scrabster of £110 return for a car and two passengers.

Elaine Tulloch, marketing projects manager for NorthLink Ferries, said: “We have achieved hugely encouraging passenger growth rates in the four years we’ve been in business and we are keen now to do even more to generate new travel opportunities throughout the winter months. The fare promotions will be combined with a number of targeted marketing campaigns designed to keep people sailing with us during what are traditionally quieter months on board our ships.”

In another move driven by the imminent onset of winter, NorthLink has announced the temporary suspension of the overnight cabin service on MV Hamnavoe for passengers booked to travel on the 0630hrs sailing out of Stromness.

Efforts to promote this service during the summer months through the inclusion of an attractive bed & breakfast deal have been very successful, but NorthLink has taken the decision to withdraw the service from November 1 until the end of March 2007, the company’s low season.

Gareth Crichton, NorthLink’s commercial director, said: “While we know that a small number of customers would continue to make use of this service over the winter, there are a number of operational and resourcing issues which make it impractical for NorthLink to offer the service during the low season. Not least of these is the fact that only a few cabins are taken up, while the full requirements for staffing, passenger access over the elevated walkway, customer service and security would all have to remain in place.

“So, while the summer sales of the B&B offer were very encouraging, and we hope to do more on this front come next Spring, our winter promotions will be concentrated around the various new fare offers mentioned previously. We apologise to any passengers who may have intended taking advantage of this service during the winter and would reassure them that we will look to have it up and running again as of April next year.”