New Mersey Ferry sails into history with landmark ceremony
A landmark moment in the 800-year history of the Mersey ferries was celebrated as the new £26m Royal Daffodil set out on the river following a special naming ceremony.
The event shone a spotlight on the vital role Mersey Ferries continue to play in connecting communities, supporting tourism and proudly showcasing the Liverpool City Region to visitors from around the world.
The investment in Royal Daffodil forms part of a wider transformation of the Liverpool City Region’s transport network, which includes hundreds of brand-new buses, a new £50m train fleet, new rail stations, contactless ticketing and the launch of the region’s first franchised bus services.
Guests at the special ceremony included civic leaders along with representatives from Wirral’s Cammell Laird shipyard, now named Balaena Birkenhead, who built the vessel.
They received a warm welcome from the Sea Cadet Corps at the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal before the vessel received a traditional blessing.
A ceremonial bottle was then broken against the hull of Royal Daffodil, continuing a long-standing maritime tradition, while performances from Pleasant Street Primary School Choir and Liverpool Show Choir provided a fitting musical backdrop to the celebrations.
The ceremony concluded with a spectacular tugboat salute on the River Mersey as the Royal Daffodil was officially welcomed into the Mersey Ferries fleet, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the iconic service.
Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone for Mersey Ferries and for our waterfront. The Royal Daffodil is a wonderful addition to the fleet, bringing together the proud heritage of this iconic service with the modern facilities, accessibility and comfort that passengers expect today.”
Built here in Birkenhead, the new vessel is a showcase for Wirral’s long-standing maritime and shipbuilding traditions and represents the best of our past and our future.
As well as providing an improved experience for those who use the ferry every day, it will create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike, helping more people enjoy everything our waterfront and the River Mersey have to offer.
It will also support local businesses and strengthen our visitor economy, ensuring Mersey Ferries remain a valued part of our communities for generations to come.
Local business Crosby Fresh, which operates the Discovery Café at Seacombe Ferry Terminal, will provide onboard catering, helping make every journey more enjoyable with a range of freshly prepared food and drink made using locally sourced produce.
Following the naming ceremony and first voyage, Royal Daffodil will complete the final preparations required ahead of entering service. The new vessel is expected to begin carrying passengers in early autumn, when residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy its modern facilities and spectacular views of the Liverpool waterfront.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
Anyone from this part of the world understands the significance Mersey Ferries conjure in the minds of people – they are part of the very fabric of our skyline, our history and our identity. And thanks in no small part to Gerry Marsden, they’re a part of the soundtrack of this place too – and I wish he could have been here today.
With the Royal Daffodil, we haven’t just spent £26 million on a new ferry. We have invested in the people and the capability to build one right here on the banks of the Mersey. We have built something here that millions of people will see, use and enjoy for decades to come. And we have shown that when we invest in our people and our places, we can create things that make the whole region proud.
This is an investment in keeping one of the great symbols of our region alive for another generation. There will be children who take their first trip across the Mersey on Royal Daffodil, families who make memories on her, people travelling to work, and visitors seeing our waterfront from the river for the first time. Ultimately, this ferry belongs to the people. They have helped us to write the next chapter in its story.
The new ferry has been designed with comfort, accessibility and leisure in mind, offering a modern onboard experience for visitors and passengers.
Painted in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, the vessel features a contemporary main-deck lounge, modern bars, and spacious open-plan decks, while adjustable panoramic windows provide unrivalled views of the waterfront.
Passengers can look forward to a range of features including USB charging points, engaging storytelling boards, baby changing facilities and dedicated cycle parking on the main deck.
Moving between decks is easy, thanks to two staircases and an on-board lift designed to make every journey more comfortable and convenient.
On the upper deck, passengers can enjoy an open viewing deck with traditional timber bench seating, offering a unique vantage point to take in the world-famous waterfront.
Maritime Minister, Keir Mather MP, said:
Gerry and the Pacemakers made the Mersey Ferry famous around the world, generations of dockyard workers made it part of Liverpool’s story, and today the Liverpool City Region is writing the next chapter.
This £26 million investment in the Royal Daffodil delivers better accessibility, modern facilities and some of the best views on the water.
This isn’t just a new ferry, it’s a new era for one of Britain’s most iconic services, connecting communities, boosting tourism and keeping the Mersey’s proud maritime story sailing on for generations to come.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
The Royal Daffodil is a fantastic addition to one of our region’s most iconic attractions and a symbol of our continued ambition to invest in Liverpool’s waterfront and visitor economy.
For generations, the Mersey Ferries have been part of the identity of our city region. This new vessel combines that proud heritage with modern, accessible facilities that will enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike.
Whether people are commuting, enjoying a day out or taking in the world-famous views of Liverpool’s waterfront, the Royal Daffodil will help ensure Mersey Ferries remains a treasured part of life on the Mersey for decades to come.
