RED Funnel is pleased to announce it will be increasing its vehicle ferry service from 10 July, with a further 22 sailings per week.

The increase comes as the company receives additional demand for its ferry crossings as tourism and leisure businesses reopen on both sides of the Solent.

Sailings will run with a maximum of 350 passengers or 39% of normal capacity. The additional sailings will help ensure Red Funnel is able to offer more travel opportunities to Islanders and holidaymakers.

Red Funnel will support the additional sailings by using its third RoRo ferry at peak times.

Newly added crossings from Southampton are scheduled for 11.15am, 2.15pm and 5.15pm on Monday, Friday and Sunday, with 11.15am and 2.15pm sailings added to the Saturday timetable.

Newly added crossings from East Cowes are scheduled for 12.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm and 6.45pm on Monday, Friday and Sunday, with 12.45pm and 3.45pm crossings added to the Saturday timetable.

Red Funnel will also be increasing the number of freight ferry services on the Red Kestrel to 22 crossings per week — 11 from each side — enabling the operator to free additional space on its passenger ferries and adjust to the increase in demand for freight services over the summer months.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “We are delighted to be increasing our ferry crossings from the 10 July. We continue to see demand growing and anticipate this will increase further as the hospitality and leisure sector reopens from this weekend.

"We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure passengers have a good experience with us, and can relax and sail safely.”

Red Funnel’s new vehicle ferry timetable can be found at redfunnel.co.uk/timtables. New crossing times are available to book online via redfunnel.co.uk or by calling 02380 019 192.