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Ferry traffic Aberdeen
Key Findings
NorthLink Ferries (also referred to as Serco NorthLink Ferries) operates a lifeline of passenger and vehicle ferry service between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Northlink took over the route from P&O in 1999. Since July 2012, it has been operated by international services company Serco.
Between 2013 and 2023, passenger numbers to Shetland have risen from 116,800 to 141,636 - 21% increase. Car numbers have increased by 54%. For Orkney, passenger numbers have remained broadly stable with a 9% increase in cars. Both services saw a marked reduction during the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since recovered.
Northlink also operate a service for commercial vehicles which has seen a 13% increase from Aberdeen to Shetland and 6% increase to Orkney. This is at full capacity for many sailings.
Work is underway to develop cold ironing technology to allow vessels to use mains electricity when in port, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality.
Figure 1: MV Hildasay entering Aberdeen Harbour
Figure 2: Ferry passenger and car movements between Aberdeen-Kirkwall and Aberdeen-Lerwick NorthLink Statistics | NorthLink Ferries
Figure 3: Total commercial vehicle meterage for Aberdeen-Kirkwall and Aberdeen-Lerwick NorthLink Statistics | NorthLink Ferries
Notes
None
Linked Information Sheets
Key sources of Information
Reviewed on/by
13/12/2023 by Ian Hay
13/03/2025 by Charlotte Tomlinson
Status
Live - Next update 20/03/2026
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Contact us
Telephone: 07971149117
E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot