Arrow Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The ferry 'Arrow' has officially been chartered for a long-term mission by Balfour Beatty, a prominent infrastructure firm based in the UK. This strategic move aims to provide specialized logistics support for the SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub and the Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link in Scotland. By dedicating this vessel to the project, Balfour Beatty is set to enhance the efficiency of project delivery while simultaneously reinforcing the existing Stornoway-Ullapool ferry service operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). Currently, the 'Arrow' is nearing the completion of its 12-month charter with DFDS, which is scheduled to end on March 24, 2026. The Lewis Hub represents a groundbreaking energy initiative that will for the first time link Scotland's Western Isles to Great Britain's mainland transmission network through the use of subsea cables. This endeavor is part of the larger Western Isles HVDC Connection Project, which aims to establish an advanced high voltage subsea and underground transmission connection. A notable feature of the 'Arrow' charter includes a “release mechanism” that permits the vessel to be utilized by other entities when it is not needed by SSEN Transmission. This provision will bolster the resilience of the island's crucial ferry network, supporting operations particularly during the drydocking and maintenance schedules of CalMac’s 'Loch Seaforth', which is responsible for maintaining the Stornoway-Ullapool route. The agreement to charter the 'Arrow' was reached through close collaboration with Stornoway Port, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Ullapool Harbour Trust, backed by additional support from Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), and CalMac. Together, these organizations are striving to identify innovative freight solutions that alleviate the stress on existing ferry services.

CalMac has successfully sub-chartered the Roro vessel 'Arrow' from DFDS to bolster freight services on the Stornoway–Ullapool route. This strategic move comes as the regular ferry 'Loch Seaforth' is set to undergo its scheduled docking from October 19 to November 15, 2025. To accommodate passenger needs during this period, the Isle of Lewis ferry will be redeployed from its Oban–Castlebay route. The addition of the 'Arrow' ensures that both freight and passenger operations continue seamlessly, enhancing fleet utilization across the network. This decision also strengthens service reliability as the winter season approaches, providing added resilience against the challenges it may bring.

Sailings on the ferry service faced disruptions due to a technical malfunction aboard the 'Arrow.' As of August 2, the ferry 'Loch Seaforth' stepped in to manage the overnight freight operations. Consequently, the scheduled sailings from Stornoway at 9 p.m. on August 2 and from Ullapool at 12:30 a.m. on August 3 were cancelled. Thankfully, all customers who had booked on the affected services were promptly re-accommodated onto alternative sailings. Repairs on the 'Arrow' were successfully completed by August 3, allowing for a return to normal operations.

On July 24, 2021, the ferry 'Arrow', recently chartered to enhance the Stornoway route, was forced to suspend its services after a mere five round trips due to a significant oil leak in its propulsion system. This mechanical failure was caused by a fishing net that became tangled in the vessel's propeller. Subsequently, the 'Arrow' departed from Stornoway on July 25 at 7:15 p.m., setting its course for Belfast where it is scheduled for drydocking on July 27. In the wake of this incident, all sailings have been suspended indefinitely, while inspections and repairs are anticipated. To accommodate the overnight freight service, the ferry 'Loch Seaforth' has resumed operations. Repair work on the 'Arrow' is expected to take around one week, as the team works to restore the vessel to operational condition.

An investigation conducted by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has unveiled that the crew aboard the 'Arrow' was inadequately equipped for navigating through restricted visibility when the vessel grounded while entering Aberdeen Harbour on June 25, 2020. The incident occurred during a period of thick fog, following an overnight voyage from Lerwick. A pilot exemption certificate (PEC) holder, provided by the vessel's charterer, was responsible for piloting the ship using radar. Just minutes before reaching Aberdeen's narrow 70-metre-wide navigation channel, the vessel was enveloped in dense fog. Under the pressure of the situation and with little assistance from the bridge team, the PEC holder struggled to manage the vessel's trajectory. In an attempt to correct a deviation to the north of the intended course, he inadvertently over-corrected towards the south, a miscalculation that the crew didn't recognize in time to prevent the grounding. This incident resulted in considerable damage to the underwater hull on the port side of the vessel. Following the investigation, the MAIB did not issue any recommendations as a result of the actions taken post-incident.