Welcome to Orkney Harbours

Orkney Islands Council Department of Harbours as the Competent Harbour Authority (CHA) is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the various piers and harbours located throughout the Orkney Islands under their jurisdiction and operate under the principals set out in the Port Marine Safe Code.

The range of port facilities vary from those within the Oil Port of Scapa Flow that provide safe anchorage locations for multiple ship to ship transfer operations and vessels serving the Flotta Oil Terminal to the remote island facilities such as based in North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray and Sanday where life line ferry services operate to and from.

Scottish mainland ro-ro ferry services operate on a daily basis to the principle ports of Stromness and Kirkwall and a container service twice weekly from Lerwick and Aberdeen to Kirkwall.

Orkney is a popular cruise ship destination during the summer months with a large variety of cruise ships calling mainly into Kirkwall Harbour but also Stromness Harbour. We are able to offer deep water berthing facilities to some of the largest vessels calling into Kirkwall Harbour at the Hatston Terminal port facility.

As well as the larger vessels using the port facilities there is a strong commercial inshore fishing fleet located throughout the islands as well as the ever increasing pleasure craft fleet. Berthing and landing facilities are provided throughout the islands to meet the needs for these sectors.

The Department of Harbours provides all pilot launch and pilotage services directly as well as Vessel Traffic Services for Scapa Flow and approaches and the Kirkwall Harbour area.

We hope within the website you will find information that will assist you in the planning of a visit to any of the port facilities we operate.