Building Overseas of New Mersey Ferry is a Betrayel

Building Overseas of New Mersey Ferry is a Betrayel - Says Union

9th November 2022

Merseyside based shipyard Cammell Laird said it was the main contractor for the new Mersey ferry. Above Afloat adds the existing ferry Royal Iris of the Mersey which serves commuters between the Wirral and Liverpool. Credit: Jehan Ashmore

The union Unite has said that the shipyard to build the new Mersey ferry is in the Netherlands and this is a "complete betrayal" of workers on Merseyside.

Liverpool City Region (LCR) announced yesterday of the new ferry and said it was expected to be built by the main contractor Cammell Laird in Birkenhead.The shipyard is located opposite of the port city on the Wirral Peninsula to and from where the famous 'ferry cross the Mersey' serves commuters.

According to Unite, UK government tendering rules meant most of the work would be done by the Damen Group, a Dutch shipbuilding and marine services firm.

The government has been approached for a comment on the ferry service operated by Merseytravel which runs the 10-minute direct cross-river service each weekday (mornings and evenings). The 60 year-old Royal Iris of the Mersey runs the route between Seacombe on the Wirral and Liverpool Gerry Marsden (Pier Head).

More coverage from BBC News on the historic ferry service which can trace its origins to the 12th century.

Published in Shipyards

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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