Skeleton of new Mersey Ferry complete as Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram sees funnel lowered into place
The last part of the Royal Daffodil's high-tech superstructure was completed at a special ceremony at Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead, with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram watching on.
The funnel is 3.6 metres tall and, weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes, will eventually be painted red in line with the world-famous Mersey Ferries' traditional red, white and black colour scheme.
Following this vital milestone all the mechanical and electric services will be added to bring the ferry into operation, and the interior of the boat will be fitted out, as well as the internal and external painting.
The Royal Daffodil is due to take to the water in 2026 and will be the first new addition to the Mersey Ferries fleet since the 1960s.
With state-of-the-art propulsion systems it will aim to be greener than its predecessors, offering improved environmental performance, greater accessibility, and enhanced comfort for passengers.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 'The Mersey Ferries are more than just a way to get from A to B – they're a symbol of our identity, heritage, and pride.
"Generations have grown up with them, and I'm determined to ensure they remain part of our future, too.
'Today's milestone isn't just about lowering a funnel – it's about raising expectations for what transport in our region can be: cleaner, greener, and built right here in our city region by local workers.
"The new Royal Daffodil will carry the spirit of the Mersey with her, and – as my friend Gerry Marsden once said – I can't wait to see this Ferry 'Cross the Mersey.'
The funnel is a crucial component of the ship, allowing exhaust from the three main engines to be safely expelled while supporting ventilation of the engine spaces.
Historic Wirral shipbuilder Cammell Laird has played a strategic role in UK shipbuilding for the past 200 years, and is constructing the £26m Royal Daffodil on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group, said: 'Today marks a significant milestone in what is a landmark project, not just for APCL Cammell Laird but for shipbuilding in the wider Merseyside region.
"The installation of the funnel signals the completion of the Royal Daffodil's steel structure and brings us one step closer to delivering a vessel that combines innovation, heritage, and sustainability.
'This ferry is being built by our local workforce and apprentices, using local skills that has gone into every stage of its construction.'
'We look forward to completing the construction of the ferry and launching her on the river Mersey.'
John Drummond, Project Director at APCL Cammell Laird, said: 'Being entrusted with building the first new Mersey Ferry in over 60 years is a real honour – and a responsibility we take seriously.
'As we continue with the next phase of the build, including mechanical systems and interior fit out, we look forward to seeing this iconic vessel take to the water and serve future generations of passengers across the Mersey.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Merseyrail 'tap-and-go' ticketing launched
A new contactless payment system for purchasing train tickets on the Merseyrail network has been "tap-and-go" system allows passengers to use a MetroCard linked to their bank account to make journeys across the Liverpool City said it will remove the need to queue for tickets and will guarantee the lowest fare on all journeys. The roll-out follows a two-month pilot region mayor Steve Rotheram said the new system is helping to make travel in the region "simple, affordable, and fit for the future". "No more queuing, no paper tickets, and no worrying about whether you've bought the right fare," he second phase will launch later this year and will see passengers able to use their bank card, or devices such as phones or watches, without the need for a managing director Neil Grabham said the technology is "a significant advancement in our efforts to make rail travel simpler, faster and accessible for all".This smart ticketing system is part of Rotheram's plan to create an integrated transport system across the region on buses, trains, and ferries. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Glasgow Times
07-08-2025
- Glasgow Times
Missing out on £54m research fund ‘undermines' northern universities, say mayors
A total 12 institutions have access to the money to help attract 60 to 80 leading researchers into the UK. But the mayors, including Labour's Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester, Steve Rotheram in Liverpool and Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire, have called on the Government to build a 'new funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all of our regions'. They warned that investment was 'concentrated disproportionately in London and the South East'. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the money is intended to bolster industrial strategy by helping universities to back research in sectors such as life sciences, defence and the creative industries. Beneficiaries include Oxford and Cambridge universities, the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, which is also based in Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Birmingham. Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, the University of Strathclyde in Scotland and Cardiff University in Wales are also listed as being in line for money from the fund. But northern universities' 'exclusion from the Global Talent Fund undermines their contribution to the UK's economic success, as well as the Government's stated commitment to rebalance our economy', the mayors wrote in a joint statement. They said: 'We are deeply disappointed that universities in the north of England, some of the best and brightest in the world, have once again been overlooked in the allocation of national innovation funding, despite their research credentials. 'The North is home to some of the UK's most innovative, high-performing universities. These institutions drive the development of life-changing technologies and work hand in hand with industry to create good jobs and grow the economy.' The cross-party group added: 'As mayors, we stand ready to support the Government in its mission to make the UK a global science superpower. 'But to truly deliver on that mission, investment in innovation must reflect the full breadth and depth of talent that exists across the country, not continue to be concentrated disproportionately in London and the South East. 'We are calling for urgent reform to ensure greater transparency and fairness in how public research and innovation funding is allocated. 'Strategic funds like this must support national growth, and that means recognising and investing in the full potential of the North of England and the 15 million people we collectively represent. 'We urge UK Research and Innovation to think again, review this disappointing decision and work together with us on creating a new funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all of our regions, to build a brighter Britain that works for us all.' Reform UK mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, and Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, Lord Houchen of High Leven, joined the Labour politicians – who also include the South Yorkshire, North East and York and North Yorkshire mayors Oliver Coppard, Kim McGuinness and David Skaith – in signing the statement. Backing the fund last month, science minister Lord Vallance said 'genius is not bound by geography'. He continued: 'But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries.'
South Wales Guardian
07-08-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Missing out on £54m research fund ‘undermines' northern universities, say mayors
A total 12 institutions have access to the money to help attract 60 to 80 leading researchers into the UK. But the mayors, including Labour's Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester, Steve Rotheram in Liverpool and Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire, have called on the Government to build a 'new funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all of our regions'. They warned that investment was 'concentrated disproportionately in London and the South East'. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the money is intended to bolster industrial strategy by helping universities to back research in sectors such as life sciences, defence and the creative industries. Beneficiaries include Oxford and Cambridge universities, the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, which is also based in Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Birmingham. Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, the University of Strathclyde in Scotland and Cardiff University in Wales are also listed as being in line for money from the fund. But northern universities' 'exclusion from the Global Talent Fund undermines their contribution to the UK's economic success, as well as the Government's stated commitment to rebalance our economy', the mayors wrote in a joint statement. They said: 'We are deeply disappointed that universities in the north of England, some of the best and brightest in the world, have once again been overlooked in the allocation of national innovation funding, despite their research credentials. 'The North is home to some of the UK's most innovative, high-performing universities. These institutions drive the development of life-changing technologies and work hand in hand with industry to create good jobs and grow the economy.' The cross-party group added: 'As mayors, we stand ready to support the Government in its mission to make the UK a global science superpower. 'But to truly deliver on that mission, investment in innovation must reflect the full breadth and depth of talent that exists across the country, not continue to be concentrated disproportionately in London and the South East. 'We are calling for urgent reform to ensure greater transparency and fairness in how public research and innovation funding is allocated. 'Strategic funds like this must support national growth, and that means recognising and investing in the full potential of the North of England and the 15 million people we collectively represent. 'We urge UK Research and Innovation to think again, review this disappointing decision and work together with us on creating a new funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all of our regions, to build a brighter Britain that works for us all.' Reform UK mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, and Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, Lord Houchen of High Leven, joined the Labour politicians – who also include the South Yorkshire, North East and York and North Yorkshire mayors Oliver Coppard, Kim McGuinness and David Skaith – in signing the statement. Backing the fund last month, science minister Lord Vallance said 'genius is not bound by geography'. He continued: 'But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries.'
