BAM to deliver Fair Isle ferry scheme, providing a ‘lifeline’ to the UK’s most remote inhabited island

BAM has been appointed to build vital new ferry infrastructure to serve the remote Shetland island of Fair Isle.

The Fair Isle ferry replacement project is a major investment by Shetland Islands Council and the UK Government to secure the long-term future of the island’s community, by improving transport links to and from the island.

Twenty-five miles from Shetland mainland, and home to the Fair Isle knitting pattern, the island has around 60 permanent residents. The project will enhance connectivity between Fair Isle and Shetland Mainland, providing more reliable and sustainable transport for residents, businesses and visitors.

The infrastructure works at Fair Isle harbour will create a new wider slipway, an enlarged boat noust to haul the ferry out of the water, and a winch house to accommodate a new wider and longer ferry. On Shetland Mainland, Grutness Pier will be extended with new tubular piling and a more sheltered berth will be created through a breakwater extension.

Work is commencing immediately, with the BAM team landing on Fair Isle this month to begin preparations. Drawing on its expertise in delivering complex infrastructure in remote and challenging environments, BAM will lead the delivery of this critical investment, supporting Shetland Islands Council’s commitment to keeping communities connected.

Alan Cox, BAM Managing Director of Regions and Transport, said: “We feel privileged to have been chosen to deliver this vital new ferry infrastructure on Fair Isle - a truly unique location. We understand the challenges of working in remote coastal locations, and this expertise means we’ll be able to build the new infrastructure safely and sustainably so that both residents and visitors to Fair Isle can benefit from better connections.”

Emma Macdonald, Shetland Islands Council Leader, said: “I’m pleased to see these contracts awarded so that these important works can get underway to provide a new ferry for the Fair Isle community. The ferry is a lifeline for so many aspects of life in Fair Isle and its replacement will serve the island for many years to come.”

Shetland Islands Council has agreed to provide £18.6m of funding for the project, with the UK Government providing a grant of £26.8m towards the anticipated total cost of £45.4m.

The scheme, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, will support access to essential services, strengthen economic opportunities and help sustain the island’s unique culture and social fabric for future generations.