en.Wedoany.com Reported - The newly built Royal Daffodil by Mersey Ferries commenced river trials on April 16th, marking the first new ferry to be constructed and enter sea trials for the Liverpool area in over 60 years. According to an announcement from Mersey Ferries, the vessel has a total cost of £26 million, an approved passenger capacity of 500, and was built over two years at the APCL Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. The sea trials will focus on verifying the propulsion system, handling performance, navigation equipment, and safety functions, while simultaneously conducting practical docking exercises at the Seacombe and Pier Head terminals on the River Mersey.
The Royal Daffodil has a hull weight of 327 tons and features the iconic red, white, and black livery of Mersey Ferries. The vessel was first launched and floated in November 2025, before being transferred to the shipyard's Tranmere test basin for internal outfitting work. Following the sea trials, the vessel will require multiple rounds of crew training and system calibration, with passenger service expected to commence within 2026. These sea trials signify a crucial stage in the comprehensive renewal of the Mersey Ferries operating fleet—the Royal Iris was retired two weeks ago, while the brightly colored Snowdrop resumed river operations around the same time.
The operational history of Mersey Ferries dates back to the 19th century, forming a core component of Liverpool's urban transport system. The retirement of the Royal Iris after over 60 years of service marks the beginning of a renewal cycle for the route's capacity. The addition of the new ferry will improve the efficiency of waterborne commuting between Liverpool city centre and the Wirral Peninsula, while also providing additional capacity for tourism along the River Mersey. APCL Cammell Laird, as a key shipbuilding enterprise in northwest England, undertook the entire construction and outfitting of the new vessel.
During the sea trials of the Royal Daffodil, the engineering team will conduct comprehensive validation of engine output power, steering response time, mooring system reliability, and emergency safety equipment under all operating conditions. Given the complex tidal conditions of the River Mersey, the docking tests will cover both high and low water scenarios. Once operational, the Mersey Ferries fleet will adopt a mixed structure of new and older vessels, better aligning with the passenger demand for waterborne public transport in the Liverpool City Region.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority previously confirmed that the Mersey Ferries fleet renewal plan encompasses three sub-projects: vessel construction, terminal facility upgrades, and ticketing system digitization. As the first newly built vessel delivered under this plan, the construction progress and sea trial results of the Royal Daffodil directly influence investment decisions for subsequent vessels. Mersey Ferries has not yet disclosed a specific timeline for the next new build. The advancement of these sea trials provides a verifiable case study for the UK's domestic shipbuilding industry in the field of small to medium-sized passenger vessels.
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