Orkney Ferries is a Scottish company operating inter-island ferry services in the Orkney Islands. The company operates ferry services across 15 islands.
The company is owned by the Orkney Islands Council and was established in 1960 as the Orkney Islands Shipping Company.
In 1991, the Orkney Islands Shipping Company acquired a private sector ferry company also called Orkney Ferries, which had been established to compete on the short sea crossing from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Islands, but which had not succeeded in establishing the route. This company's ferry was assimilated into the inter-island fleet, and in 1995 the Orkney Islands Shipping Company adopted the name Orkney Ferries. Despite this acquisition and change of name, the current Orkney Ferries does not operate services to and from the Scottish mainland, leaving this to other operators such as NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries, which is run by the same people who started the original Orkney Ferries.
Orkney Ferries operate between the Orkney mainland and fourteen of the smaller islands. Services include:
Orkney Ferries operates a fleet of inter-island vessels, most of which were specially built for service in the islands. The fleet includes:
was acquired by Orkney Ferries in April 2020 to replace . She was to operate on both the Westray to Papa Westray and Graemsay and North Hoy services but has been plagued by issues since arrival. The council then put out a tender for another new vessel in April 2024 due to the number of issues with Nordic Sea, this became the MV Charles Ann II.
MV Toplander was acquired by Orkney Ferries in December 2025 as an additional relief vessel to assist the fleet.
HSC Zevi 1 is a hydrofoil fast craft, which was delivered in May 2025 and after sea trials will begin service in summer 2026. It will operated with Orkney Ferries for 3 years on a trial period. Another high speed craft, for 50 passengers, is expected to be also delivered.