Red Funnel provides update on Hi-Speed ferries

More than 21 years since entering passenger service, Red Funnel’s Hi-Speed passenger ferry, Red Jet 4, is moving on to pastures new, following a recent purchase by Nam Hae Express Co, a leading ferry company in South Korea.

Red Funnel CEO, Fran Collins, said: “We are very proud of Red Jet 4’s two decades of service across the Solent. She’s been a much-loved member of our fleet and we are delighted that Nam Hae Express Co is adding her to its routes.

"However, with Red Jet 4 now over 21 years old, the time is right to shift our priorities towards the future. For us, this entails a strategic decision to focus on the upkeep and reliability of Red Jets 6 and 7 and ensure we deliver the best possible service to our customers. This aligns with the current demand for service on our Southampton to West Cowes route and positions us to make the best possible decisions to chart our course from here.

“We wish Nam Hae Express all the very best in giving Red Jet 4 a new home and a new purpose and send our wishes for fair winds and safe travels to her passengers and crew.”

Red Jet 4 was built by North West Bay Ships in Tasmania in 2003 and can accommodate 271 seated passengers and four crew and is powered by two MTU diesel engines, each driving an MJP waterjet to give a service speed of 35 knots. Later this month, the vessel will be lifted out of the water in Southampton and hoisted onto a marine freight forwarder, before being transported to South Korea.

In addition to its current fleet of six hi-speed catamarans, Nam Hae Express Co, established in 1955 also operates four car ferries serving popular tourist destinations including Mokpo and Jeju Island.