Red Funnel goes e-foiling

By | 2024 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Red Funnel’s Southampton to West Cowes route, currently served by Red Jets 6 and 7, will be enhanced with the addition of a zero-emission, electric e-foiling passenger ferry (Artemis Technologies EF-24 Passenger). 

Operation of the Artemis EF-24 Passenger will save up to 3,700 tonnes of CO2e per year.  

Using electricity from renewable sources will increase annual emissions savings to approximately 4,150 tonnes of CO2e. 

In addition to reducing air pollution and noise, the fully accessible passenger ferry will use cutting-edge hydrofoil propulsion technology to fly over waves, lifting the vessel out of the water to reduce drag and provide a smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for passengers. 

Source

Red Funnel to order new ferries for the Isle of Wight

By | 2024 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

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

Red Funnel To Trial New Advanced Vessel Positioning System

By | 2019 Newsletter week 16 | No Comments

Red Funnel is to trial a new advanced vessel positioning system at the end of April that will boost the efficiency of its high-speed ferry service while cutting emissions.

Southampton marine technology firm Azurtane is developing the system. Working in conjunction with Red Funnel, trials will be carried out on the ferry operator’s high-speed craft RED JET 7.

FERRY SHIPPING

By | 2018 Newsletter Week 17 | No Comments

Fran Collins announced as new CEO for Red Funnel

Red Funnel announced the appointment of Fran Collins as its new CEO with effect from June 11, as Kevin George, the previous CEO, moves to be Red Funnel Group Chairman.

Fran joins Red Funnel from Condor Ferries where she has held the position of Executive Director – Operations for 4 years and prior to that was Ports and Guest Services Director.

FERRY SHIPPING

By | 2018 Newsletter Week 07 | No Comments

Red Funnel places £10m ro-ro ship order from UK yard

Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight ferry operator, has placed a £10 million order for a new ro-ro freight ferry from UK shipbuilder Cammell Laird.
The new ship is designed to provide additional year-round freight capacity for Red Funnel’s Southampton-East Cowes route, which currently handles 53% of all freight movements across the Solent.
Some particulars:

  • Length 74m
  • Capacity 265 lane metres freight and 12 pax
  • Hull shape designed to reduce wash (sensitive operation area)
  • Meeting the latest Tier III emission regulations
  • Rolls Royce azimuth thrusters
  • Crossing time of 1 hour
  • Delivery spring 2019

Photo: Red Funnel

Major refurbishment for Isle of Wight ferry RED EAGLE

By | 2017 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments

Red Funnel is going to spend £3m on a major refurbishment of its ro-pax ferry RED EAGLE in the New Year.
The work will be similar to the new look given to RED FALCON and RED OSPREY in 2014 and 2015. The main contract has been awarded to Trimline in Southampton, with aluminium fabrication work contracted to Wight Shipyard Ltd in East Cowes. The refit will be carried out in Southampton.

Photo © Red Funnel

Red Funnel gets green light for controversial masterplan

By | 2017 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

Red Funnel should be allowed to bulldoze its existing terminal, nearby buildings and properties in Cowes, Isle of Wight. The Court’s decision came after an appeal against Isle of Wight Council refusal.

Red Funnel wants to build a much-needed, modern ferry terminal. East-Cowes suffers from lack of space, with traffic congestion as a result.

The first idea was to add houses, retail and a hotel, but Red Funnel had to scale down the plan. The company said a new terminal layout will be presented end of September.