First of the three London-based passengers ferries is already at the Isle of Wight yard
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Isle of Wight-based shipbuilder Shemara Refit is to refit three of MBNA Thames Clippers’ passenger ferries.
The first of the three London-based ferries, Storm Clipper, arrived at Shemara’s East Cowes yard on 25 February. The two remaining ferries will be refurbished later this year.
“Each year we carry just under four million passengers so it is vital that our fleet of 15 catamarans exceed all safety requirements while providing our customers with the most comfortable travel experience in London,” said Sean Collins, CEO of MBNA Thames Clippers. “We are extremely pleased to entrust this work to Shemara Refit and in so doing participate in the yard’s vision to grow the shipbuilding skills which are available on the Isle of Wight.”
Shemara Refit is currently building a new high-speed passenger ferry for UK operator Red Funnel Ferries.
“MBNA Thames Clippers is a major operator of high-speed ferries and this is a market we plan to be a major player in,” said Peter Morton, Shemara Refit CEO. “With these refits we hope to build a strategic partnership with MBNA Thames Clippers that involves both refits and newbuilds over the coming years. With the 41m Red Jet 6 due to be delivered to Red Funnel in July we will be able to show what is possible for newbuilds in UK shipbuilding.”