Let’s face it, there’s only so many yoghurt pots you can rinse and recycle before starting to wonder if big companies are doing their bit to help the planet’s cause. But some corps are attempting to go green – and leading by example on England’s south coast are two maritime industry giants, which are teaming up to bring the Solent its first zero-emissions commercial ferry service.
Red Funnel Ferries is collaborating with Artemis Technologies (ATL) to introduce a new high-performance passenger ferry. Artemis EF-24 Passenger models will sail smoothly into the Red Funnel fleet to serve the Southampton to West Cowes (on the Isle of Wight) route alongside the current Red Jets 6 and 7.
The sleek ‘industry-first’ ferry will rely on electricity from renewable sources and is forecast to save up to 3700 tonnes of CO2e per year.
Dr Iain Percy OBE, double Olympic and multiple world champion sailor and ATL CEO said: ‘The EF-24 Passenger ferry 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.
‘This partnership with Red Funnel underscores our commitment to international maritime standards and paves the way to a healthier planet for all.’
You can leave the travel sickness tablets at home because the EF-24 will also use pioneering electric propulsion technology to lift itself out of the water and skim over waves, providing a smoother and less noisy journey for its lucky passengers.
The vessel will undergo sea trials in the coming months, ready to transport 150 voyagers at a top speed of 41mph (36kts), compared to the average ferry speed of 23-29 mph. To top off its long list of design perks, it (probably) takes less time to charge than your laptop as it’s ready to go in under 60 minutes. Impressive!
Red Funnel’s new Artemis EF-24 Passenger ferries are expected to come into service by the end of 2025.
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