The ETS Levy is applied consistently across all ferries operating on our Portsmouth–Fishbourne route. This ensures a fair, transparent, and simple approach for customers.
Our ferries are operated interchangeably across sailings, with the majority of crossings undertaken by Victoria of Wight and St Clare, both of which fall within the criteria for the ETS levy. Because vessels are rotated operationally, applying the charge selectively by individual ship would be complex, unclear, and potentially confusing for customers.
By applying the levy uniformly, we can offer clear and consistent pricing across the route, without customers needing to worry about differences between individual sailings.
Any income received from the ETS levy on St Faith sailings will be used to offset the overall ETS costs Wightlink incurs across the route. As we have already made clear, Wightlink does not profit from the ETS levy — the total cost to Wightlink exceeds the amount charged to customers.
This approach allows us to manage our fleet efficiently while meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining a clear and consistent customer experience.
If you wish to avoid the ETS levy, you can travel on our Lymington to Yarmouth route, where the charge does not apply.