Stephen Morgan MP, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, found out more about Wightlink’s £45million investment in its Portsmouth to Fishbourne route, including port improvements and a new hybrid energy ship, on a visit to its terminal in Gunwharf Road.
He was met by Chief Executive Keith Greenfield and toured the port:
“We were delighted to welcome Stephen to Wightlink. He was interested in our route to Fishbourne and learned how we have been working to increase efficiency, reduce emissions and cut congestion in the city,” says Keith.
“As our local MP, and a customer on our FastCat service to Ryde Pier, he supports our call for the modernisation of Portsmouth Harbour railway station with improved facilities for rail customers”.
Stephen Morgan MP said:
“It was really useful to visit Wightlink Ferries and have the opportunity to discuss with Chief Executive Keith Greenfield their plans for the future of the port in our great city.
Wightlink and its forerunners have provided ferry services to and from the Isle of Wight for more than 160 years and it was interesting to see how the vessels are keeping up with the changing times. I have fond memories of family holidays over the years on the Island and visiting there via the ferry company’s services. I was pleased to hear more of the company’s long history and how today the use of hybrid energy is benefiting the environment here in Portsmouth.
It was good to see for myself the measures put in place to cut noise and light pollution for the local community and hear about the popular apprenticeship programme which is offering young people from our area the opportunity to learn skills related to the industry.”
Wightlink carries more than 4.5 million people a year to and from the Isle of Wight on three routes – two of them link the Island with Portsmouth. The ferry company’s new flagship Victoria of Wight uses hybrid energy, combining batteries with conventional power, and can carry 178 cars and more than a thousand passengers on each journey.
