New Ships

Wightlink have three new ferries coming into service on the Lymington-Yarmouth route during 2008-9.  The new ferries will mark the start of a whole new era for the route, as they will be more fuel efficient, offer greater flexibility and will have more attractive passenger facilities on board.

The ferries have been designed by Naval Architects ‘Hart Fenton’ and are being built at the Brodogradiliste Kraljevica, Croatia.

The current ferries have to be replaced, as they are now over 34 years old and whilst they have provided excellent service they are now reaching the end of their useful lives. It is simply not practical to invest in modifications that will be required to comply with imminent regulations.

The new ferries have been designed exclusively for the route and we have carried out a process of extensive consultation to arrive at the design of the new ferries to ensure that they both complied with the new regulations and were also suitable for the change in traffic mix on the route.

The first keel was laid in June 2007, Wightlink will take delivery of the first two ships in 2008, and they are expected to enter service later in the year.  The third ship is due to join the first two in early 2009'

The new ships are being built under the supervision of Portsmouth based Naval Architects, Hart Fenton; and Wightlink’s own Project Manager, Colin Stanton, who will be based at the yard in Croatia for the duration of the build.

  Keep up to date with progress in our Gallery  

  Watch the Wight Light launch video