Ferry rates revised
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A FEASIBILITY study which could save operators hundreds of pounds a year 1 is being carried out by the• Shetland Island Council.
The Council is concerned ; that new ferry rates between Aberdeen and Lerwick could cause hardship , and is compiling a roads related tariff for ferry changes.
The new ferry rates will vary from £6_50 per foot for essential supplies, to £11.50 for "oil related freight." The standard rate is £8.50.
A spokesman for the Council told CM this week that the ferry charges for a 32-ton artic would be about £740 return.
"The road related rate, based on CM'. Tables of Operating Costs. plus 15 per cent would be £300," he said. The return journey is about 400 miles.
The Shetland argument follows closely that advanced by the• Highland and Island Development Board for freight to the Western Isles. In it, Shetland would require the Government to subsidise the traffic by the difference , between the actual charge " and any agreed road rate.
Since there is an imbalance of traffic in favour of the mainland to island leg, the rate per ton for one way will invariably be based on the return trip. A 20-ton , load will cost £37 per ton, the road rate would he nearer £15.