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Ferry Operator of the Year
Ferry Operator of the Year
Ferry Operator of the Year
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Range of initiatives that the operator has been involved in to improve services and facilities.
Evidence of performance, passenger growth, customer satisfaction, marketing, carbon reduction.
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Range of initiatives that the operator has been involved in to improve services and facilities.
Evidence of performance, passenger growth, customer satisfaction, marketing, carbon reduction.
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Range of initiatives that the operator has been involved in to improve services and facilities.
Evidence of performance, passenger growth, customer satisfaction, marketing, carbon reduction.
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne operates Britain's largest and most complex ferry network, serving millions of passengers each year. Its enhanced engagement model was introduced as part of a wider change in how the operator responds to customers following a challenging period. To date, 201 customer-facing employees, including new starters, seasonal staff and existing colleagues, have completed the programme. The submission presents this as an early step in improving communication and service across the network.
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne operates Britain's largest and most complex ferry network, serving millions of passengers each year. Its enhanced engagement model was introduced as part of a wider change in how the operator responds to customers following a challenging period. To date, 201 customer-facing employees, including new starters, seasonal staff and existing colleagues, have completed the programme. The submission presents this as an early step in improving communication and service across the network.
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne operates Britain's largest and most complex ferry network, serving millions of passengers each year. Its enhanced engagement model was introduced as part of a wider change in how the operator responds to customers following a challenging period. To date, 201 customer-facing employees, including new starters, seasonal staff and existing colleagues, have completed the programme. The submission presents this as an early step in improving communication and service across the network.
WINNER
Pentland Ferries
Pentland Ferries provides a vital year-round service between Orkney and mainland Scotland and has delivered significant growth while remaining an independent operator without public subsidy.
In 2025, the company carried more than half a million passengers, with vehicle sales on the Pentland Firth route increasing by 17.3% and passenger sales by 34.2% compared with the previous year. Its workforce has doubled over the past four years to 85 employees, while 56% of goods and services are procured from local businesses, contributing £9.3 million directly to the local economy.
The operator has continued to strengthen the resilience of Scotland's ferry network, including chartering MV Alfred to CalMac while maintaining its own Pentland Firth service. Pentland Ferries has also introduced a self-funded residents' discount scheme, with more than 5,000 island residents registering, helping to keep essential ferry travel affordable and accessible.
Combining strong operational performance, commercial resilience and a longstanding commitment to the communities it serves, Pentland Ferries continues to play an important role in connecting Orkney and supporting the wider regional economy.
WINNER
Pentland Ferries
Pentland Ferries provides a vital year-round service between Orkney and mainland Scotland and has delivered significant growth while remaining an independent operator without public subsidy.
In 2025, the company carried more than half a million passengers, with vehicle sales on the Pentland Firth route increasing by 17.3% and passenger sales by 34.2% compared with the previous year. Its workforce has doubled over the past four years to 85 employees, while 56% of goods and services are procured from local businesses, contributing £9.3 million directly to the local economy.
The operator has continued to strengthen the resilience of Scotland's ferry network, including chartering MV Alfred to CalMac while maintaining its own Pentland Firth service. Pentland Ferries has also introduced a self-funded residents' discount scheme, with more than 5,000 island residents registering, helping to keep essential ferry travel affordable and accessible.
Combining strong operational performance, commercial resilience and a longstanding commitment to the communities it serves, Pentland Ferries continues to play an important role in connecting Orkney and supporting the wider regional economy.
WINNER
Pentland Ferries
Pentland Ferries provides a vital year-round service between Orkney and mainland Scotland and has delivered significant growth while remaining an independent operator without public subsidy.
In 2025, the company carried more than half a million passengers, with vehicle sales on the Pentland Firth route increasing by 17.3% and passenger sales by 34.2% compared with the previous year. Its workforce has doubled over the past four years to 85 employees, while 56% of goods and services are procured from local businesses, contributing £9.3 million directly to the local economy.
The operator has continued to strengthen the resilience of Scotland's ferry network, including chartering MV Alfred to CalMac while maintaining its own Pentland Firth service. Pentland Ferries has also introduced a self-funded residents' discount scheme, with more than 5,000 island residents registering, helping to keep essential ferry travel affordable and accessible.
Combining strong operational performance, commercial resilience and a longstanding commitment to the communities it serves, Pentland Ferries continues to play an important role in connecting Orkney and supporting the wider regional economy.
Red Funnel
Red Funnel provides vehicle, passenger and freight links between the Isle of Wight and Southampton. Its submission highlights the Daisy Bus, a community service created after the withdrawal of the original route in 2025. The Daisy Ring Bus community interest company was established to secure the service's future. The project illustrates the operator's role in supporting everyday travel for Island residents and access to essential connections.
Red Funnel
Red Funnel provides vehicle, passenger and freight links between the Isle of Wight and Southampton. Its submission highlights the Daisy Bus, a community service created after the withdrawal of the original route in 2025. The Daisy Ring Bus community interest company was established to secure the service's future. The project illustrates the operator's role in supporting everyday travel for Island residents and access to essential connections.
Red Funnel
Red Funnel provides vehicle, passenger and freight links between the Isle of Wight and Southampton. Its submission highlights the Daisy Bus, a community service created after the withdrawal of the original route in 2025. The Daisy Ring Bus community interest company was established to secure the service's future. The project illustrates the operator's role in supporting everyday travel for Island residents and access to essential connections.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates London’s River Bus service along the River Thames, connecting key destinations for 5.6m commuters and visitors annually. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to strengthen its position as London’s leading river transport operator through major investment in sustainable transport, expanded infrastructure and enhanced passenger experience. By operating high-frequency River Bus and leisure services across the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers connects commuters, residents and visitors via 24 piers stretching from Putney to Barking Riverside. A major milestone for the business in 2025 was the launch of Orbit Clipper, the UK’s first fully electric cross-river ferry. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to grow strongly, carrying more than 5.6 million passengers annually and cementing its role as a key part of London’s transport network.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates London’s River Bus service along the River Thames, connecting key destinations for 5.6m commuters and visitors annually. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to strengthen its position as London’s leading river transport operator through major investment in sustainable transport, expanded infrastructure and enhanced passenger experience. By operating high-frequency River Bus and leisure services across the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers connects commuters, residents and visitors via 24 piers stretching from Putney to Barking Riverside. A major milestone for the business in 2025 was the launch of Orbit Clipper, the UK’s first fully electric cross-river ferry. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to grow strongly, carrying more than 5.6 million passengers annually and cementing its role as a key part of London’s transport network.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates London’s River Bus service along the River Thames, connecting key destinations for 5.6m commuters and visitors annually. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to strengthen its position as London’s leading river transport operator through major investment in sustainable transport, expanded infrastructure and enhanced passenger experience. By operating high-frequency River Bus and leisure services across the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers connects commuters, residents and visitors via 24 piers stretching from Putney to Barking Riverside. A major milestone for the business in 2025 was the launch of Orbit Clipper, the UK’s first fully electric cross-river ferry. In 2025, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers continued to grow strongly, carrying more than 5.6 million passengers annually and cementing its role as a key part of London’s transport network.
Wightlink
Wightlink is the leading ferry operator on the Solent, providing lifeline links between the Isle of Wight and mainland UK. Since January 2025, Wightlink has delivered a coordinated programme of improvements to strengthen reliability, enhance customer experience and support long term sustainability. Operational performance has been a key focus, with improved maintenance planning, engineering resilience and cross team working reducing unplanned outages and increasing vessel availability. Capacity has been strengthened through enhancements such as three vessel running on the Lymington–Yarmouth route in the summer with an additional 868 sailings, increasing sailing frequency and flexibility. Wightlink’s programme of improvements has delivered measurable gains across performance, customer satisfaction and commercial growth.
Wightlink
Wightlink is the leading ferry operator on the Solent, providing lifeline links between the Isle of Wight and mainland UK. Since January 2025, Wightlink has delivered a coordinated programme of improvements to strengthen reliability, enhance customer experience and support long term sustainability. Operational performance has been a key focus, with improved maintenance planning, engineering resilience and cross team working reducing unplanned outages and increasing vessel availability. Capacity has been strengthened through enhancements such as three vessel running on the Lymington–Yarmouth route in the summer with an additional 868 sailings, increasing sailing frequency and flexibility. Wightlink’s programme of improvements has delivered measurable gains across performance, customer satisfaction and commercial growth.
Wightlink
Wightlink is the leading ferry operator on the Solent, providing lifeline links between the Isle of Wight and mainland UK. Since January 2025, Wightlink has delivered a coordinated programme of improvements to strengthen reliability, enhance customer experience and support long term sustainability. Operational performance has been a key focus, with improved maintenance planning, engineering resilience and cross team working reducing unplanned outages and increasing vessel availability. Capacity has been strengthened through enhancements such as three vessel running on the Lymington–Yarmouth route in the summer with an additional 868 sailings, increasing sailing frequency and flexibility. Wightlink’s programme of improvements has delivered measurable gains across performance, customer satisfaction and commercial growth.
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