News - 27/10/15

A new Cowes to Portsmouth high-speed foot passenger ferry route is due to be launched on 5th November 2015 by Scoot Ferries Ltd, operating from Trinity Landing in Cowes and arriving to the Millennium Pontoon at The Town Camber, Portsmouth.

Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Harbour Master at Cowes said: “Cowes Harbour Commission has a statutory duty to run an open port and our strategic policy is to support new transport links, thereby providing choice and competition for the benefit of local stakeholders. Following consultation with the Harbour Advisory Committee, the Commissioners have agreed the terms of operation and welcome the additional ferry service from Cowes being established by Scoot Ferries. 

“Trinity Landing, which will be the departure point for Scoot Ferries in Cowes, has become a major harbour facility since the Commission installed it nine years ago as a stakeholder benefit investment. The Trinity Landing pontoons provide an excellent berthing location for sail training vessels, superyachts, visiting VIP vessels, cruise ship tenders, and now a regular ferry service to Portsmouth.”

Scoot Ferries will use two 20m high-speed catamarans on the Cowes to Portsmouth route with space for 41 passengers in each; the crossing will take around 35 minutes. On arrival at The Camber in Portsmouth, passengers can take a five-minute Scoot Shuttle bus service direct to the Hard Bus and Rail Interchange and Gunwharf Quays. The timetable has been specially designed to connect with the train times to London Waterloo and London Gatwick airport.

CEO of Scoot Ferries, Zoe Ombler, added: “We are delighted that Cowes Harbour Commission has supported our proposal to use Trinity Landing as a base for our new Cowes to Portsmouth route, brought forward by two years due to strong local demand. This will enable us to introduce a new transport connection, opening up employment and leisure opportunities for the central and West Wight area in particular.”