Transport
Published: August 11, 2024 | Updated: 11th August 2024
Six years ago, on 10 August 2018, Wightlink’s £30 million flagship, Victoria of Wight, sailed into Portsmouth Harbour after a 3,000-mile journey from the Cemre shipyard in Yalova, Turkey.
The hybrid-powered ferry, which combines batteries with conventional engines, can carry up to 178 cars and over 1,000 passengers on each trip to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight.
With its innovative design, Victoria of Wight now operates around the clock, using 20 per cent less fuel and producing 17 per cent fewer carbon emissions than similar-sized vessels.
Wightlink is now intensifying its focus on sustainability. The ferry company has installed solar panels at its ports in Gunwharf Road Portsmouth, Lymington, and Fishbourne.
In the first six months of 2024, these panels generated 52,085kW of power—enough to boil 473,501 litres of water for nearly two million cups of tea or coffee. Wightlink is also exploring the possibility of installing solar panels on suitable vessels.
Wightlink’s commitment to sustainability began in 2017 with a £45 million investment in Victoria of Wight and port improvements, including double-deck loading to boost efficiency.
As of July 2024, the company reported a reliability rate of 99.3 per cent and punctuality at 94 per cent, contributing to their Gold award in the British Travel Awards for Best UK Ferry Operator in 2023.
Keith Greenfield, Wightlink’s Chief Executive, highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts: “Victoria of Wight was a fantastic addition to our fleet, but there is much more to do. Our aim is to introduce all-electric ferries when suitable shore power is available.
“We are privileged to sail through some of the most beautiful waters in the UK and have a duty to protect its environment. Reducing emissions is key to making shipping more sustainable.”
Wightlink is also dedicated to various environmental initiatives as part of its Green Solent Project.
The company collaborates with organisations such as Blue Marine Foundation, which has installed oyster nurseries at Lymington port, and University of Portsmouth marine scientists, who are studying cuttlefish habitats under Ryde Pier and in Portsmouth Harbour.
Wightlink also assists in transporting young white-tailed eagles from Scotland for release on the Isle of Wight, in partnership with Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.
Additionally, Wightlink supports the Solent Seascape Project, a marine restoration effort that has been recognised as an official United Nations Decade Action.
Wightlink is also involved in increasing recycling rates, eliminating single-use plastics, installing EV charging points, and sourcing goods from local Isle of Wight suppliers like Briddlesford Farm Dairy and Grace’s Bakery.
