Sleeping horizontally is either too expensive or not possible on board the ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland and Orkney.

New freight boats are being designed at the moment; they will each be able to carry up to 200 passengers when the route is busy in peak tourist season.

These boats will be in service for decades. We have an opportunity NOW to tell the designers that we want horizontal, affordable, comfortable and secure sleeping spaces for solo travellers. 

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Stena Line have introduced Japanese-Style sleeping pods on their ferries from Germany to Sweden with great success. Please sign this petition if you want to see them brought in on the route to Orkney and Shetland.

It’s very exciting that plans to replace our ageing freight vessels are now progressing at pace. 

The Hildasay and Helliar will be replaced by two brand new vessels that also have capacity to carry up to 200 passengers at busy times.

Over the last few years there have been too many nights where local people have been unable to find somewhere horizontal to sleep on the north boat.

Much of the problem lies in the fact that many people who travel to Shetland are single travellers. If you are on your own and sleeping horizontally is essential, perhaps if you have to work or drive long distances the following day, the only option is to book out an entire two- three- or four-berth cabin. This is bad for two reasons. Firstly, because it is overly expensive for the single traveller. Secondly, because it reduces the cabin occupancy rate, meaning that other travellers are denied the opportunity of a good night’s sleep at busy times.

At a recent public engagement event in Lerwick this week, the CMAL technical manager explained that Japanese-style pods were “being considered”, however a proposed floor plan was released which showed cabins for 2-4 occupants, but no single-occupancy sleeping spaces, only rows of seats.

Now is the critical moment for our community to be intervening to influence the designs.

On overnight ferry routes, lying horizontally should be the default mode of passenger accommodation, a comfortable night’s sleep in horizontal position should be a necessity, not a luxury.

Once built, these ships will be providing an overnight service to our islands for decades to come. It’s vital that current and future generations of islanders can travel affordably, comfortably and securely. 

Please sign the petition!