UK ferry line will continue to offer daily crossings between Isle of Wight and Portsmouth
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners (BBIP) has purchased Wightlink Ferries from Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund for an undisclosed sum.
Wighlink carries more than 4.8 million passengers and offers around 48,000 crossings on three routes between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth in the UK per year. The company offers two 40-minute car ferry services, as well as one 20-minute passenger service on a high-speed catamaran.
“Wightlink is a strong and stable company with the opportunity to grow and develop in the years to come,” said Steven Lowry, BBIP LLP Partner. “We are delighted to be the new owners of the largest cross-Solent ferry operator and are committed to investing in the business, and supporting the management team’s focus on safety and improving customer service.”
Despite the change of owner, management, staffing, prices, routes and schedules will all remain the same.
“Wightlink has a strong and secure future with its new shareholders, which is good news for the company, our customers and our staff,” said Russell Kew, Wightlink’s chief executive. “We look forward to working with BBIP to grow the business in years to come.”