The largest fast passenger ferry order for a UK shipyard in over 25 years has been confirmed by MBNA Thames Clippers today. Two new 170 capacity passenger boats will be built at the Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight, and will join London’s growing river transport network in summer 2017.
Representing an investment worth over £6.3million, the order will see the creation of 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London, and the involvement of over 100 businesses in the South of England as part of the delivery supply chain. Plus, MBNA Thames Clippers will be creating two new dedicated apprenticeship roles. The finalisation of the two new fast ferries is the largest ever order for the recently rebranded Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) based on the Isle of Wight.
When the two new fast ferries join the MBNA Thames Clippers’ river bus service in central London they will add 14 per cent additional capacity to the company’s network. They swiftly follow the addition of two boats in late 2015, in total adding an additional 30 per cent capacity in two years. MBNA Thames Clippers will become the biggest commercial passenger fleet operating solely in English waters when the two newly confirmed boats enter service.
The two new boats will enter service in the summer of 2017 and means over £26 million has been invested by MBNA Thames Clippers in their fleet over the past ten years.
Formerly known as Shemara Refit LLP, Wight Shipyard Co specialises in aluminium vessels for the ferry industry and has a reputation for excellent management capabilities and quality workmanship. The yard’s most recent delivery was a new 40 metre high speed passenger ferry for Isle of Wight services.