A second huge barge which hundreds of oil workers will call home arrives in Shetland later this month.
The Kalmar flotel will berth at Lerwick harbour to provide accommodation for up to 220 offshore contractors for nine months.
It follows the Bibby Stockholm, already alongside at the port, which can take up to 550 guests.
Petrofac has contracted both vessels, which will be used while it builds the new £500million gas plant at Sullom Voe for French oil giant Total. A £6million, 108-room hotel is planned to house further workers.
Hotel operator BDL is building Moorefield Brae for Total, one of the main operators looking to exploit reserves west of Shetland with its £2.5billion Laggan/Tormore project.
Sandra Laurenson, chief executive at the Lerwick Port Authority (LPA), said: “The presence of two accommodation vessels is another demonstration of the harbour’s versatile role in supporting the oil and gas industry.
“Modern facilities, including almost 4,000 metres (13,100ft) of quays, and ongoing development will ensure the deep-water port continues to meet opportunities in future.”
LPA said last month it would work on harbour developments worth more than £15million this year to keep pace with the increasing number and size of vessels using the harbour.
The organisation has spent more than £74million upgrading since the 1960s, but current projects include the £10million quay at Dales Voe for decommissioning work, a land reclamation and quay project at Mair’s Yard and a 246-foot quay extension at Greenhead Base.
The number of offshore-industry vessels using Lerwick harbour increased by nearly 10% to 623 last year, helping boost turnover by 14% to £10.4million.
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