Keel laying celebrated for new £10m ferry
Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird held the keel laying ceremony of its latest vessel today.
Red Funnel, the original Isle of Wight ferry operator, announced that its new £10m freight ship will be called Red Kestrel.
The keel-laying was witnessed by around 300 guests.
Cammell Laird is scheduled to deliver the vessel in spring 2019.
Karen George, wife of Red Funnel’s chairman, had the honour of pushing the button to lay down the first section of the keel, accompanied by the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Minister of State for Employment at the Department of Work and Pensions.
Also on hand were Cammell Laird chief executive John Syvret and Kevin George, chairman of the Red Funnel Group.
The milestone event was followed by a keynote address from the Minister of State as part of his visit to businesses in the North West of England.
Mr George said: “We are proud to have placed this order in the UK as the work helps ensure the revival of world-class shipbuilding in this country.
“The keel laying is one of the most time-honoured traditions in the building of a ship and we very much look forward to watching the build progress over the coming months. Once in service, the additional freight capacity on our Southampton-East Cowes route will help grow the Isle of Wight economy.”
John Syvret said: “It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the entire workforce to welcome Red Funnel’s team to Cammell Laird for this historic keel laying ceremony. My thanks go to Kevin George and his executive team for placing their trust in us.”
He added: “We are especially proud to be working for a British ferry company and winning the contract against international competition.”
Minister for Employment, Alok Sharma, said: “I am delighted that Red Funnel’s multi-million pound investment is supporting local jobs, providing a boost to the local economy and also enhancing Cammell Laird’s very strong shipbuilding credentials.”
The ferry’s construction has safeguarded around 80 Cammell Laird jobs.
Red Kestrel is Red Funnel’s first dedicated ro-ro freight ship and will provide additional year-round freight capacity on Red Funnel’s Southampton-East Cowes route which currently handles 53% of all freight movements across the Solent.
