Red Funnel has announced that it is building a brand new, all-electric Red Jet that will enter service between West Cowes and Southampton next year.
In partnership with leading maritime technology company, Artemis Technologies, a zero-emission, electric e-foiling passenger ferry – the Artemis EF-24 Passenger – will operate the cross-Solent route from late 2025.
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 – just like the old Shearwater-class vessels that crossed to and from the Isle of Wight until 2000.
The new vessel will be a tad slower than Red Jet 7 at 36 knots top speed and will carry around 150 passengers – a lot fewer than the 277 passengers Red Jet 7 can carry.
The e-Red Jet will be able to achieve a full charge within an hour and will operate at 2.5m wave heights, or 4m at lower speeds.
In terms of its green credentials… operation of the new Red Jet 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.
Red Funnel joins just 2 other ferry operators adopting the technology to decarbonise their operations and this addition to Red Funnel’s fleet will provide the first zero-emissions commercial service to the Isle of Wight. However, it was announced in recent weeks that Red Funnel’s new vehicle ferries will be of diesel-electric hybrid propulsion.
Today’s news comes just weeks after Red Jet 4 was sold to Korea, leaving the hi-speed service with just 2 vessels in the fleet. This move led to questions as to whether a new Red Jet would be built – the answer now seems to be yes, but not by Isle of Wight-based Wight Shipyard.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, has said:
“We have been working with Artemis Technologies for several months to develop this partnership, and we are delighted to reach this exciting milestone as part of our journey to decarbonise our fleet. Delivering first-class service to our customers is our priority and the Artemis EF-24 passenger ferry will provide speed, comfort and reliability as well as significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
“This is an important step towards transitioning to a sustainable and environmentally friendly fleet that will continue to provide a lifeline service for the Isle of Wight community both now and for future generations. We will be working closely with ATL over the coming months for testing and sea trials, including bespoke training of our High-Speed team so that we’re ready to add Artemis EF-24 Passenger to our fleet next year. In the meantime, it is very much business as usual for our teams and customers as we work behind the scenes on this exciting phase of our journey.”
Dr Iain Percy OBE, Artemis Technologies’ CEO, adds:
”We are incredibly excited to partner with Red Funnel and bring the Artemis EF-24 Passenger ferry to the vital Southampton – Isle of Wight route.
“The Artemis EF-24 Passenger represents a major leap forward in our mission to transform the maritime industry and future-proof our oceans and waterways. “Air pollution impacts our health, damages quality of life, and harms our environment and oceans. By introducing the Artemis EF-24 Passenger, Red Funnel is taking a significant step towards mitigating these issues. The electric propulsion of our ferry not only eliminates air and water pollution but also reduces noise and wake, providing a quieter, smoother ride for passengers and minimising impact on shorelines.
“This partnership with Red Funnel underscores our commitment to international maritime standards, and paves the way to a healthier planet for all. Together, we are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future.”
