Contracts for the provision of livestock transportation containers to be used on the NorthLink fleet of ferries have now been awarded and construction will begin immediately.

The contracts for the provision of 46 40-foot double-deck containers and two 20-foot double-deck containers plus the ro-ro trailers upon which they sit is worth a total of £2.2m.

The container contract has gone to Stewart Agricultural Limited of Daviot, near Inverurie, while the trailer contract has been awarded to Transtec Equipment Ltd of Kendal, Cumbria.

The containers, and associated equipment, have gone through a rigorous design and approval process with prototypes being tested and amended where necessary.

The double-deck design is thought to be unique in the maritime livestock transportation sector. The prototypes have been given the seal of approval by statutory authorities including the State Veterinary Service.

The design of the containers is such that they can be used universally across the NorthLink fleet including on board the passenger ro-ro ferries if necessary.

Delivery of the first batch of containers is expected to take place in Spring of next year and construction and delivery will continue on a rolling basis until the entire order is complete.