Public invited to name the new Northern Isles Freight Vessels
We’re calling for the public’s help to name the two new freight-flex vessels being built for Scotland’s Northern Isles, which will serve the Aberdeen to Kirkwall/Lerwick route, operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries.
The new vessels will provide the routes with additional freight capacity and efficiency for quicker crossings, as well as improved flexibility to accommodate up to 200 passengers during peak travel times.
CMAL and Serco NorthLink Ferries have produced a shortlist of names inspired by Shetland and Orkney’s scenic landscapes and Nordic roots for voters to choose from. The two most popular names will be given to the new vessels replacing the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay.
The shortlisted names are:
Shetland-inspired names
- Hascosay — a small remote island lying between Yell and Fetlar
- Hebrista — a low-lying teardrop-shaped islet in the West Mainland of Shetland
- Helliness — inspired by Holm of Helliness, a small uninhabited island off the east coast of Shetland
- Heogland — an uninhabited drying islet at the southern entrance to the Bluemull Sound in Shetland
- Hildasay — a battle island off the west coast of Shetland
Orkney-inspired names
- Hakon — the name of an Old Norse earl who ruled the Earldom of Orkney
- Helliar — inspired by “cave island”, a small uninhabited tidal island off the east coast of Orkney
- Hestigeo — a ravine located in St Ola
- Hunda — a small island in Scapa Flow, translated in Old Norse as “dog island”
- Hundigar — a dry rock skerry located on the tidal island Birsay
Anyone with an interest in the new ferries for the Northern Isles is welcome to vote at cmal.scot/vote, and can do so from today, Tuesday 15 September 2026, until 23:59 on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
Kevin Hobbs, Chief Executive of CMAL, said:
“The two new vessels for the Northern Isles will provide a welcome boost to the service’s overall efficiency and reliability, and choosing their names marks an important maritime tradition.
“With a strong list of names that tie into both Shetland and Orkney’s respective rich heritage, we encourage members of these island communities to get involved and have a say in what these vessels will be named.”
Stuart Garrett, Managing Director at Serco NorthLink Ferries, said:
“Once in service, these vessels will provide additional flexibility and capacity, helping to support resilience across the Northern Isles network for years to come.
“The opportunity for communities and customers to help choose their names is a great way for people to be part of that journey, and we look forward to seeing which names prove most popular.”
Vote now at cmal.scot/vote.
Image courtesy of naValue/LMG Marin/Guangzhou Shipyard International Co./CMAL
Categories: Naidheachdan, Nochdte, Pròiseactan, Soithichean Bathair nan Eilean a Tuath
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