Chartwell Marine has secured a further vessel build contract to design a bespoke hybrid ferry providing an essential lifeline service for a rural island community.
The Southampton-based designer has been appointed to deliver the new ferry project, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2026 and the vessel expected to enter service in 2027.
“We’re delighted and deeply honoured that the client has appointed Chartwell Marine to design the new ferry,” said Christophe Rident, senior naval architect at Chartwell Marine.
”Adapting our proven hull forms that are tried and tested in the demanding offshore wind market, we’ve created a modern, versatile, low-emission vessel tailored to the local community’s exact requirements.”
Sustainable operations
The ferries operating in this remote island region face challenging sea conditions and limited port infrastructure, making robust and adaptable vessel design critical.
For many years, the existing ferry has provided a vital transport link, supporting daily life for residents and businesses alike. But environmental changes and growing community needs, however, have driven demand for a more capable replacement.
Designed in close collaboration with the ferry operator and local stakeholders, the new hybrid ferry will feature a highly customised catamaran hull and hybrid propulsion system.
The vessel will be capable of carrying up to 100 passengers and cargo efficiently, while reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable island operations.
It will be IMO Tier 3 compliant and capable of full electric operation, cutting emissions and noise while protecting the islands’ sensitive environment. Transit times around the islands will also be reduced to under one hour.
In addition to CTV builds, Chartwell’s ferry order book continues to expand, reinforcing the company’s growing role in the next-generation fast ferry market.
The newbuild Fair Isle ferry is taking shape at Parkol Marine Engineering Ltd with the ferry’s structural form now laid down in individual scantling components: Engine girders, longitudinal stiffeners, transverse frames, pillars and bulkheads.
One of the key similarities between this new project and the Fair Isle project is how Chartwell is applying its extensive offshore wind vessel expertise to develop modern, versatile, low-emission ferries.
The company said it draws on its cross-sector learnings to design unique, tailor-made ferries for customers, rather than taking a “cookie-cutter” approach.
