Red Funnel plans to order three new vehicle ferries to replace its ageing fleet, including the 30-year-old Red Falcon and Red Osprey. The new vessels, expected to cost around £100m, will be smaller and more agile but will offer similar capacity. The tender for shipyards to build the ferries will be issued later this year, with a possibility of them being built in the UK. The new ferries are part of an investment to address criticism of the company’s service in recent years.
Source: BBC
A new solar-powered ferry service is set to launch for the Isle of Wight, spearheaded by Wight Gateway Limited. The all-electric ferries will connect Ryde and Portsmouth and are expected to be built locally, powered by a dedicated solar farm. This initiative aims to improve local connectivity and economic benefits. The Ryde terminal will be developed on WGL-owned land, and Portsmouth International Port will provide a ferry berth. The project has strong community support and seeks National Significant Infrastructure Project designation.
For more details, you can read the full article here (source: On The Wight)
Red Funnel Ferries are proposing to redesign and upgrade the existing sites in East Cowes to build resilience whilst enhancing the overall look of the waterfront.
The consultation on the initial plans for Red Funnel Port opened on Monday 26th June and will close on Sunday 23rd July. Following this first round of consultation, Red Funnel will incorporate the feedback they receive into the proposals and come back to the community for further feedback on more detailed plans in the autumn.
Underwater survey work has commenced in Cowes Harbour in preparation for a new piled layby berth which Red Funnel is building on the eastern side of the channel for use by its new freight ferry when it enters service in spring 2019.
