Almost 2 months after Island Echo reported on plans for a new Isle of Wight ferry operator to enter the market, further details have been revealed about the firm’s all-electric dreams for a Ryde to Portsmouth car ferry route. For almost 10 years, Wight Gateway Limited has been exploring the options for introducing a new cross-Solent operator into the mix to go against the 3 giants; Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel. It was back in April that it was revealed that the company, headed up by Nick Wakefield, John Clewley, and John Fisher, was looking to set up a shop to rival the existing ferry operators. Now, it has been announced that the company intends to use 3 electric ferries – built here on the Isle of Wight – to operate between Portsmouth International Port and the west of Ryde. No confirmed details have been released about where the new Island terminal would be, but it is thought to be in the vicinity of Ryde House off Binstead Road – an address connected with the company. The brand new operator is said to be wanting to operate services for foot passengers, motorcycles, cars and light vans only, around 80 cars at a time. The route would not be intended for HGVs or other heavy traffic such as coaches. The ferries would be powered by a local solar farm, with 1 of the company’s directors, John Fisher, connected with a company called ‘Pure Green Energy’. It is hoped that the plans can be fast-tracked through the planning process by means of obtaining designation as a National Significant Infrastructure Project, with ambitious claims that sailings could begin within just 2 to 3 years. Although hopes of operating as early as 2026 with locally-built, all-electric ferries seems a pie-in-the-sky idea, some credence is given by the fact a memorandum of understanding has been secured with Portsmouth International Port to use a berth within the harbour. Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, has spoken about the plans today, stating he is ‘incredibly supportive of this fantastic new initiative’. Councillor Jordan owns a business directly opposite the entrance to Ryde House on the main Newport to Ryde road. Commenting on the possible new services, Bob Seely MP has said:
“This is good news. We need better, cheaper services to those offered by Wightlink and Red Funnel. I want to see new operators offer new services to challenge the existing stranglehold. “I have been talking with the new service’s director, Nick Wakefield, for some time and am very supportive of Nick and his colleagues’ efforts. I am delighted that progress is being made. “There is clearly some way to go and issues about landing on the Island around Ryde. However in principle, I strongly support new Solent ferry services.”
Earlier this month it was reported by Island Echo that Fluid Taxi is to operate a foot passenger service between Yarmouth and Lymington.
Fantastic news , now let’s hope wightlink shut up shop.
They have robbed islanders for years, and spewed so many lies.
Come on, we all know how things work on the island – slowly. They have been exploring the idea for 10 years, so it will be another 10 years before anything happens.
So they think they can have a port near ryde house where they have built all those new homes that will be nice for the new owners
Not forgetting the residents of the care homes at Ryde House Group further along the road…of which my son is one! They were very unhappy about the houses being built as it was, as it was disturbing the calm and privacy for the residents who have complex needs. Now this? Don’t get me wrong I totally support a new ferry service but please not there!!
freeloaders that don’t support theirselves don’t get a say in where they live. Ryde House residents are effectively unemployed people and must be treated the same as all other unemployed people. equality and all that.
Will it ever happen, we need cheaper fares.
Bit late for April fools
Although hopes of operating as early as 2026 with locally-built, all-electric ferries seems a pie-in-the-sky idea..
And that pretty much covers it – not ever going to happen
Agree nothing ever happens with these ideas dreamed up by fantasists, especially if Jorden gets involved, Small ferry with foot passengers only maybe. And that by 2026 would be pushing it. BUT, good luck to em
Quite. Do we know of any companies worldwide that have built a similar sized electric ferry?. The batteries would be big enough to sink Fort Victoria. And where are they going to get the 10’s of millions £££ from to build one ? Certainly not from their own company funds
Council will take year’s to refuse Planning and Island Roads will also refuse on grounds of some made up excuses. Cllr Jordan will say what he wants to Media,but do opposite when ferry CEOs have a little chat and remind him that they give council staff ferry crossings at less than half price to public – Wouldn’t want that to change!.
What business does matey boy own opposite the entrance then?
You know what I think – and this is going to sound brutal.
Look up the company and look at the ages of the directors. They are at an age where they have plenty of time to tinker on pipe dream projects….
At least one of them must have been in sales, look at all the promises… New Fleet, Three ferries, All Electric, In less than two years, powered by a dedicated solar farm… don’t even get me started on physical size let alone the time it would take to build let alone get planning a solar farm of that scale.
A more realistic approach would be to get a couple of second hand vessels, get a sort of shuttle service running – see if the business washes it’s face – then decide whether it warrants further investment.
He will get planning permission and council grants for the solar plant and then sell it off for a profit, ferry will never get made.
@Brian
I Agree–start the service as cheaply as possible to assess demand–passenger boat only with shuttle buses at each end to centre of town/bus station
There is potentially a bigger prize here for island shipbuilders to build a fleet of 80 vehicle electric boats (which will take a few years and a significant capital investment). And that’s to see if they can create a design that is saleable to other operators.
A very similar government owned ferry line in the US is also in the market for new boats about the same size and mission (CMLF operating between Cape May, NJ and Lewes DE)
Amore realistic approach would be to buy out WightLink. Of course that would have to be preceded by imposing a service standard which their shareholders could never support, mass boycott by Islanders and other leverages. Not impossible …
Economic suicide… because the existing operators are saddled with debt.
Apart unrealistic timescales, totally unsuitable coastal location requiring a massively long pier or terminal structure, with an access road limited presently limited in width joining into the main Ryde to Binstead road – perhaps they intend to demolish Ryde Golf Clubhouse to build a roundabout – this is totally unfeasible. It will take more than a “berth” at Portsmouth – the one local city presently with a tax to reduce further vehicle pollution. As for mentioning any planning being fast tracked under the National Significant Infrastructure Project scheme, this would not qualify and the whole process takes many years or even decades due to the massive NSIP schemes presently covered.
Blah blah blah wake me up when you have grown up hahaha
Well reasoned argument Dave. On top of that large Solar Farms can take up to five years to join the grid due to inadequate infrastructure.
It is a non starter.
The ferries would be powered by a local solar farm. Won’t run in the winter then.
Absolute bollocks..will never happen ..
Yep you always talk bollocks on here you still drug running for big Reg Dennis the fat lardy?
Electric ferries, WT actual F. Don’t be so stupid, it would never work.
Why try to start out a new venture with expensive electric ferries? Perhaps a fossil fuel version which could be converted to electric should the route be profitable?
wont be in near ryde house as its to shallow unless they built another pier the same length as to meet the shipping lane
Look up Wight Gateway Ltd on Companies House or ‘Endole’ this will give you an idea as to IF and it’s a very big IF it will ever happen.
it would be great if it happens (Portsmouth International Port is a much better gateway for a ferry than Gunwharf)
but I’m sure Wightlink will resort to heavy handed tactics (like Red Funnel did with Cowes Express) to stop them.
the speed limit in the main channel into pompey harbour is 10kts, in other words 11mph – it will take just as long to get to the international ferry port, from the harbour entrance, as it will to cross from ryde to portsmouth – this will be even longer journey time overall, than the current car ferries.
Have they not thought about a road through Binstead Woods to get to the Ryde House Lane and onto the main road
Easier to build a tunnel and cheaper for Islanders to use, ferries will always require high profits for low level service
Wonderful news. It would be lovely if it came into fruition. Let’s think positve rather than negative. If it doesn’t turn out to be as proposed, so be it. At least someone is trying to help the Island.
Will it be next to the tunnel under the Solent next door quar abbey
Is that the one that leads to the magical fairy kingdom?
Considering how long going to take to build 2026 is not going to happen.
How much are they going to have to realistically charge to pay for the boats, the port and solar farm, plus the fees for using the international port which can see online plus staff?
80 Cars max, say £30 each way affordable that’s only £2400. That’s not going to be enough.