Peter Morton News

British aluminum shipbuilder The Wight Shipyard Co. on Tuesday announced an all-share merger with France-based shipbuilder OCEA to create a combined group aiming to capitalize on the fast ferry and offshore renewable energy markets opportunities. The deal is scheduled to complete by March 2022 and will see The Wight Shipyard Co. nearly double in size.Peter Morton, CEO of The Wight Shipyard Co., said, “This is a transformational deal for The Wight Shipyard Co. and for the Isle of Wight, confirming the resurgence of the shipbuilding industry in the United Kingdom.

CWind, offshore wind crew transfer specialist, on Tuesday announced the delivery of what it described as "the world’s first hybrid-powered Surface Effect Ship (SES)," the CWind Pioneer crew transfer vessel.CWind said that the crew transfer vessel, with 24 passenger capacity, was developed in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, while cost-effectively servicing windfarms located further offshore. "The CWind Pioneer…

British shipbuilding company Wight Shipyard Co. has secured an order for four vessels for Malta’s Captain Morgan Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Fortina Investments Ltd.The order is for two 20 m and two 33 m catamarans, all to be designed by One2Three Naval Architects, said the shipbuilding company based in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK.Peter Morton, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: "We have been working with One2Three to develop lighter, more fuel-efficient ferries with the subsequent reduction of fuel costs. The operators see the long-term benefits in using less fuel and thereby reducing carbon emissions. We are also working to integrate the boarding design for the ancient wharves and docks of the towns of Malta.”vessels will replace a number of older vessels…

Isle of Wight shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) has been contracted by CWind to build the world’s first hybrid surface effect crew transfer vessel, to  service the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore windfarms located 23 kilometers off the Dutch coast.CWind’s long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted, which operates the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore windfarms, will start in mid-2020. The agreement will cover an initial three-year firm charter with options available for a further two years.WSC said it will manage the build project from its development stage right through to delivery. The vessel will be able to handle 2m significant wave height during technician transfer in heavy seas.

A UK shipbuilder known for building high-speed ferries aims to enter the offshore wind market with a new line of wind farm support vessels (WFSV).Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) said its Vortisea brand of vessels, designed in collaboration with Australian naval architect Incat Crowther, is specifically geared toward European and UK wind farms, particularly those further offshore.“It’s fitting that being so well established in the fast ferry sector we have chosen to enter the WFSV market. There is still a niche to be filled.

Wight Shipyard Co. (WSC) debuts a hybrid patrol vessel designed  to reduce both fuel costs and engine maintenance.“This ground-breaking project aims to set new standards in high speed, fuel economy and light weight vessels in the sector. Building greener vessels has been an integral focus for some time now so moving into hybrid options is the obvious next step forward,” said Peter Morton, CEO, WSC.The WSC vessel has been designed by naval architect Chartwell Marine, and is the first in the new Chasewell range of pilot and patrol boats…

UK shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has been appointed to develop the fleet of Arksen series vessels including the Arksen 70, Arksen 85 and Arksen 100.Arksen is developing, building and supporting semi-autonomous, hybrid explorer vessels,  designed from the ground up to have the least impact on the environment and take adventurers to the most inaccessible corners of the world’s oceans.The team also comprising fellow south coast businesses Humphreys Yacht Design (exterior) and Design Unlimited (interior).“Ship building on the Isle of Wight goes back hundreds of years. The Isle of Wight builds the finest aluminium vessels in the world and this explorer yacht range fits perfectly alongside our high-speed ferry building operation…

UK shipbuilder Wight Shipyard has completed its third and largest vessel for MBNA Thames Clippers, the 38-metre catamaran ferry Venus Clipper.The first Hunt Class Mk3 has been built to a ten-month build schedule and is reflective of the increased business the yard has previously predicted in the fast ferry sector, said a release.Peter Morton, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: "One of the most important elements that strengthens this sector is that it is cushioned against the effects of the 2020 low sulphur cap and is actually in a better position than the conventional ferry market.”“This is because it does not have to worry about finding the increased capex to fit scrubbers or face a huge surge in costs by changing to low sulphur fuel, as fast ferries already run on low sulphur fuel.

Wight Shipyard Co delivered its first multi-million pound export order for a 250-passenger river catamaran to operate for Central Danube Region Marketing & Development GmbH’s Twin City Liner – a tourist service running on the River Danube between Vienna and Bratislava, joining two European capital cities.The passenger river catamaran was handed over to its new owners in an event hosted by Peter Morton, CEO of Wight Shipyard. In attendance were His Excellency Michael Zimmermann…

Ship repairer and marine engineering services provider SMS said it has completed its second major high-speed craft refit in France.SMS, which is based in Southampton in the U.K., has undocked Brittany Ferries’ Normandie Express in Cherbourg on the Ports of Normandy Authority’s (PNA) ship lift. Over a three-week period, SMS undertook the docking on the Rolls-Royce syncrolift in the Port of Cherbourg. The lift is 90m x 32m and offers a 3,000T lift capacity.Located just 75 miles from the Solent…

U.K. shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has delivered its latest vessel to Scottish tourism operator Loch Ness by Jacobite. The new 20-meter day-cruise passenger catamaran Jacobite Maverick is joining the company’s fleet sailing between Dochgarroch, just outside Inverness, Clansman Harbour and the ruins of Urquhart Castle.Designed by Australia’s One2three Naval Architects, the hullform of the new catamaran is engineered to provide through-life efficiency with low structural weight assisting lower fuel consumption…

Export orders continue for shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co with a multiple vessel contract from Mexico’s largest ferry operator. The order for two new 37-meter passenger ferries comes from Ultramar, who until now has built all its high speed ferries in the U.S. The newbuils will be the first British vessels to be built for Mexico in living memory. “This order for Ultramar really is very satisfying as it continues our move into international markets,” said Wight Shipyard CEO, Peter Morton.

U.K. shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has secured an order to build a new 39-meter low wash, high-speed catamaran ferry for operation by Twin City Liner on the Danube River between Vienna and Bratislava. The new vessel is scheduled to be delivered in time for the 2019 summer season, starting at the end of March. Incat Crowther said it was selected as the designer after its staff viewed the operation on the Danube first-hand, affording a detailed understanding of the complex operational requirements.

Wight Shipyard Co Ltd (WSC) boss Peter Morton has purchased a stake in Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) and takes his place on the board, securing the Isle of Wight boat build business well into the future. AMC Commercial Director, Rob Stewart, said, “We are looking forward to working together, having been neighbors for some time. With a healthy order book, the future for AMC, the Isle of Wight and U.K. Stewart added that AMC will remain separate and continue to trade under the same name but will benefit from Wight Shipyards Co Ltd’s experience, backing and support going forward.

Sydney has its Harbour Ferries, Hong Kong its Star Ferries and New York the instantly recognizable Staten Island Ferries. Add to that list London, for increasingly the fleet of MBNA Thames Clippers is becoming as identifiable with the British capital as its famous red double decker buses. Wight Shipyard Company has delivered to MBNA Thames Clippers the latest, most technically advanced and energy efficient fast ferries in the expanding London fleet; the 35 meter low wash catamarans Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper.

The largest fast passenger ferry order for a U.K. shipyard in over 25 years has been confirmed by MBNA Thames Clippers. Two new 170 capacity passenger boats will be built at the Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight, and will join London’s growing river transport network in summer 2017. Representing an investment worth over £6.3 million, the order will see the creation of 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London, and the involvement of over 100 businesses in the South of England as part of the delivery supply chain.

The latest addition to the British Red Funnel ferry fleet, Red Jet 6, completed first sea trials in June 2016 and will go into service in July. The high-speed catamaran ferry was built in Britain by Shemara Refit on the Isle of Wight with Rolls-Royce supplying four MTU Type 10V 2000 M72 engines and ZF Type 3050D gearboxes. Red Jet 6 is the most modern vessel in the Red Funnel fleet. Powered by four 900 kilowatt Series 2000 MTU engines, the catamaran is capable of service speeds up to 38 knots and has twice as many engines as it’s three sister ships which are also powered by MTU.