Last-gasp grant for Suðuroy ferry

MPs have approved finance minister Jørgen Niclasen’s request for an additional grant to cover the bill for maintenance and repair works on Smyril.

The 2019 budget includes a DKK 26 million appropriation for this project, but it has now emerged that DKK 29.5 million will be needed to get the work done to the standards required for this type of ferry.

If these standards are not met, Smyril will not be allowed back in service.

All political parties have agreed to speed up the processing of the extra grant, which means that Smyril is expected to be back in regular service on the Suðuroy route as scheduled on 12 October. 

The total DKK 29.5 million bill includes maintenance and repair work on Smyril and DKK 7m rental costs for replacement ferry Prince.

Translated by prosa.fo