Isle of Wight ferry operators Red Funnel and Wightlink have both been named as finalists in the 2026 Maritime Solent Awards, which celebrate leading businesses and individuals across the region’s maritime industry.
Red Funnel is in the running for the Diversity in Maritime award alongside BAE Systems – Defence Solutions and Royal Navy Museums.
Wightlink has meanwhile been shortlisted for the Future Maritime Skills – Large Business award, where it will compete against Serco and Solent Careers Hub.
Red Funnel is also sponsoring the Maritime Start-up of the Year category, which has K39 Consulting Ltd, Portico Port Services Ltd and Marine Cranes among its finalists.
Now in their 5th year, the Maritime Solent Awards recognise businesses and people helping to drive the regional maritime sector forward, with organisers reporting a record number of applications for 2026.
Finalists have been selected across a wide range of categories covering apprentices and cadets, clean maritime innovation, diversity, future skills, defence, logistics, technology and business excellence.
Those shortlisted for Clean Maritime Innovator are GT Wings, MDL Marinas and Portsmouth International Port, while Dynautics, Houlder Ltd and SubSea Craft Ltd are competing for the Maritime Technology Game Changer award.
GT Wings, UK Docks Marine Services and XB44 Ltd have been shortlisted for Maritime SME of the Year, while Archipelago Yachts, British Maritime Training & Assessment and XB44 Ltd are finalists for Maritime Micro Business of the Year.
The Apprentice of the Year finalists are Zoe Brown of BAE Systems Maritime Services, Daniel Hodges of South Hampshire College Group and The Electric Boat Company, and LET Jolean Ottley of the Royal Navy.
Elizabeth Hammond of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Aidan Ward Kirby of Princess Cruises and Seren Nix of Carnival UK are competing for Cadet of the Year.
Other awards on the night will recognise achievements in the maritime defence supply chain, logistics, small business skills development and maritime business services.
The Maritime Legacy award, sponsored by MDL Marinas, will be judged at a later date.
Keith Greenfield, Chair of Maritime Solent, has said:
“A huge congratulations to our finalists for being recognised as leading in your field.
“We’re proud to provide a platform to showcase the region’s maritime sector and I am thrilled that we have received a record number of applications this year.
“Each year, the Maritime Solent Awards get bigger and better and have become a highlight of the industry’s calendar. We’re looking forward to celebrating with the industry on 22 October.”
Winners will be revealed during a black-tie awards evening at Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl on 22nd October and will be attended by more than 300 maritime industry leaders and emerging talent.
This has to be a joke…
Who were the other entrants, a rowing boat and an inflatable.
More like a rubber duck
Quack Quack
Finalist for what?!, who charges the most expensive ferry fares
for such a short distance, or could it be for who cancels the
most sailings!!
Let’s hope the essential “missing” crew member gets a
Brucie Bonus consolation prize.
What a farce
I thought Dick sorted the Ferries in his first 100 days,
maybe he meant his last 100 days
£88.00 for a day return for a local is what I called
OUTRAGEOUS/SCANDALOUS
Who sets these fares DICK TURPIN
Lol
I was thinking if the Ferry Companies abolished all the
REDUCED CHARGES THEY PROVIDE
eg for
Blue Badge oersons
Blue Light persons
Services Forces persons
and Student discounts persons etc to name a few.
AND BRING IN 1 FAIR FERRY CHARGE FOR EVERYONE
Don’t sting holidaymakers in school term
JUST PROVIDE 1 STANDARD FERRY FARE FOR EVERYONE
After all it is US full paying customers who are subsidising
all the persons paying a reduced fare.
AFTER ALL PERSONS WITH BLUE BADGES GET EXCELLENT BENEFITS
INCLUDING A FREE £30,000.00+ VEHICLE
BLUE LIGHT PERSONS ARE ON EXCELLENT PAY WITH EXCELLENT
OVERTIME
SERVICES / FORCES PERSONS ARE ON EXCELLENT PAY WITH
EXCELLENT OVERTIME
AND MAJORITY OF STUDENTS LIVE WITH BANK OF MUM & DAD
OR SOME STUDENTS ARE NOT REALLY STUDENTS BUT HAVE A STUDENT PASS one only has to attend college to obtain one
POORJOE BLOGGS WHO DOESN’T WORK FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE
ORGANISATIONS BUT IS MORE THAN LIKELY ON MINIMUM WAGE
HAS TO PAY A FULL MUCH HIGHER FERRY FARE TO COMPENSATE
THOSE NOT PAYING FULL FARES
I AM SURE THE 2 ISLAND MPS WOULD AGREE WITH FAIRNESS,
MAYBE THEY ARE NOT BITHERED BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THEIR
FARESON EXPENSES
SO JUST ONE FERRY FARE FOR EVERYONE, MUCH MUCH FAIRER!