NorthLink Ferries - the company that provides services between mainland Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands - has announced plans to increase its freight transportation offerings.

At the moment the firm uses one boat, but the demand for cargo on the remote islands is rising, which has prompted the carrier to introduce both the MV Hildasay and the MV Helliar vessels ahead of schedule.

Now, there will be two crossings five days a week (there will only be one service on Tuesdays and Sundays).

NorthLink Ferries managing director Stuart Garrett said stakeholders had highlighted an urgent need to add extra capacity on cargo services between the mainland and the islands and the decision to add an extra ship will free up more deck space on passenger vessels.

"We always take care to monitor the demands on our freight service and where there is the call for it we can increase our offering in order to accommodate this," he remarked.

A recent study by Xeneta showed that sea freight costs are falling in Europe, as the stuttering economy has had an impact on trade with Asian countries, leading to overcapacity on many routes.