The New Mersey Ferry
There are countless things that Liverpool as a city is known for, from The Beatles through to the two cathedrals, as well as both of the top-flight football clubs based there.
Another one that is on the list is the Mersey Ferry, which has sailed back and forth between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula for decades.
That earned a song of its own in the 1960s when Gerry and the Pacemakers released Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey, singing about a place they love. A new one has been built, but why was it needed and where is it up to?
About the Mersey Ferry
It might sound odd to talk about the Benedictine monks when discussing the Mersey ferry, but they were based in Birkenhead in 1150 and charged a small fee to take passengers across the river. A royal licence was issued in 1317 allowing for the building of lodging houses for those crossing the river at Woodside.
The ferry service continued to be operated by the monks until the monasteries were dissolved by Henry VIII. Still, ferry journeys were needed to carry goods and people back and forth across the river.
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The first steamship to carry out the job was the Elizabeth, which was introduced in 1815 and ran between Liverpool and Runcorn. Etna entered service two years later at Tranmere, whilst New Brighton also came into the mix from 1830.
After the establishment of the likes of the Mersey Railway and the Mersey Tunnels for motor cars, the need for a ferry became less and less, but it has never died away completely. Paddle steamers moved to become twin-screw steamers, then came the more modern vessels we know of today.
The Need for a New Mersey Ferry
Given the fact that a ferry of some sort has been operating on the River Mersey for nearly 1,000 years, you would be forgiven for asking why it is that there was a desire to get a new ferry boat added to the water.
The short answer is that the new vessel will include state-of-the-art navigation, as well as top-class steering systems and large, open-plan decks, in addition to extra space for events and functions. There will also be a move to ensure that the new ferry is more accessible for the disabled than the old ones have been.
“A Mersey Gale” – a Birkenhead Mersey Ferry makes heavy weather of crossing the river whilst the White Star liner in the background looks more stable.
Samuel John Milton Brown
— David Hearn (@daveyph.bsky.social) Jan 7, 2026 at 17:25
In spite of the fact that the new ferry will be different to the ones that already sail the Mersey, it will retain the red, black and white colours that have been the fleet’s traditional offering for decades. It will also include a false funnel, which is there as a nod to the heritage of the ferries from the past, even whilst the interior of the vessel will be modernised.
The first new ferry in more than six decades to hit the River Mersey was first seen in images back in 2024, taking nearly two years for it to get to the point of launch.
One of the other factors of the new ferry that will be considered to be important to many is the introduction of cutting-edge green technologies. The older ferries are obviously significantly more damaging to the environment than many people are happy with.
As a result, steps have been taken to ensure that the new ferry will be as environmentally friendly as possible, which is crucial during a time when climate change is arguably the most important factor for future generations, which not enough people are taking seriously enough.
Progress: Where the Ferry is Up To
After three years in the making, the new Mersey ferry, the Royal Daffodil, has been released into the waters of the river. It was back in the November of last year that it left the Cammell Laird construction hall over a period of 24 hours, seeing the incoming tide lift it clear and the vessel float for the first time.
At that point, the ferry was tugged to the test basin of the shipyard, where further tests began in order to ensure that it would be ready for full sea trials. This is all entirely normal, and is an important part of getting it into service.
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Thanks to the fact that the basin testing was successful, the next thing that needs to happen is that the ferry is fully fitted out, ready for the new passengers to climb aboard.
It will also need to go through certification before it can enter service, after which passengers will be able to look forward to easier accessibility, as well as lower emissions and a modern ferry that doesn’t forget its heritage. That is something that is an important factor for Scousers and the wider Merseyside area in general.
