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Freight loading onto the ferry at East Cowes

Freight Ferry Travel to & from the Isle of Wight

Reliable and flexible options for your freight requirements

Red Funnel’s flexible freight ferry service between Southampton and East Cowes makes it easy to transport your goods across the Solent. We operate the only dedicated Isle of Wight freight ferry, Red Kestrel, which allows us to offer a bespoke experience for freight operators and drivers, and additional year-round capacity.  We’ve developed solid relationships with many companies who trust us to move their goods across the Solent, and look forward to providing the solution to your freight transportation needs.

Bookings freight offers contact us TIMETABLE Abnormal & Wide Loads Dangerous Goods freight faq terms & conditions

Reasons To Book With Red Funnel

  • Friendly, efficient account management
  • Ports served by good road connections
  • Largest cross-Solent ferries, and dedicated freight ferry with no centre casing meaning easy loading and disembarkation
  • No weight restrictions up to 44 tonnes
  • Offer wide load crossings seven days a week
  • 365 days a year service with 24/7 timetable
  • Unmatched service reliability & punctuality, even in bad weather!
  • Dedicated hazardous sailings and DG advice team
  • Highly competitive rates
  • 50% Off hot food & drinks plus 25% off selected retail lines for freight drivers

freight offers

  • 2025 Removal Offer: Save 20% on removal lorry travel when booking a sailing after 08:00. Call our Freight Centre on 01983 681336 and quote REMOV at time of booking.
     
  • 2024 Horsebox Offer: Save 20% on horseboxes and towed vehicle horse trailers up until 31 December 2024. There are no limits on how many times you book and no time restrictions. To Book: Call our Freight Centre on 01983 681336 and quote LIVESTOCK at the time of booking. Booking for 2025? Receive an additional 5% discount by quoting LIVESTOCK25.

How To Book

Fill out the form below or contact our Freight Centre on 01983 681336 to book your delivery up to 12 months ahead. Please ensure you have your account number (if applicable, preferred sailing dates and times, vehicle weight and length, and details of any dangerous goods at time of booking. 

red funnel vessel

Contact Us

Call: +44(0)1983 681336

Email: [email protected]

Sales Team Opening Hours

Monday - Friday: 07:30-17:30
Saturday: 06:00-14:00
Sunday: 08:00-16:00
Bank Holidays: 08:00-15:00

Red Funnel Freight Team, Suite E (North), First Floor, The Columbine, Venture Quays, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6EZ

Freight FAQ

Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended but it is possible to book on arrival, subject to availability of  freight space.

You’ll need outward and return travel dates/times, total vehicle length (including tractor unit if applicable), payload, details of any dangerous goods, credit account number and purchase order or debit/credit card details.

Vans/commercial vehicles up to 8m in length and 4.9m in height can be booked online. To book larger freight vehicles or make a booking amendment/cancellation please give us a call on +44(0)1983 681336 or use our online booking enquiry form.

30-60 minutes before departure (not more than 60 minutes at peak times)

No, customers with adhoc shipments can make and pay for bookings using a debit/credit card by calling the Freight Centre - there are no credit card surcharges. Credit account facilities are available for frequent customers.

A non-credit account will be created for customers when booking for the first time.
Credit accounts are available for businesses trading for at least two years who are intent on spending in excess of £2k per annum with Red Funnel.
Other types of account are also available - please contact us for more information.

If you need to cancel or amend your freight booking, please call the Freight Department in advance of travel on 01983 681336 with your booking reference to hand.

Yes, Red Funnel carry a wide variety of hazardous cargoes for more information please speak to our Hazardous Co-ordinators on 01983 681336.

Please contact a member of the Freight team for more information 01983 681336 or email [email protected]

For non-hazardous customers you will only require your booking reference number. 

For hazardous customers you will be required to hand in a copy of your Dangerous Goods Note, fully signed.

Please call our Freight team on 01983 681336.

Although an extra driver is included in the return vehicle cost, we would need to know in advance of travel. Please contact our freight team for more information. 

If you are a cash customer, you can pay with credit card on arrival however please allow additional time for your transaction.

We would always recommend early booking to secure space; however, bookings can be made at any time before entering our Terminal. 

Unfortunately, we do not offer parking at our Southampton/East Cowes Terminal.

Terms & Conditions

  • All amendments are free of charge, however a fare difference* may apply if you change your travel times.
  • Any fare difference must be paid for in full at time of amendment.
  • If you move to a cheaper sailing no refund will be due as you have reserved a space we can no longer guarantee re-selling.
  • If the booking is cancelled at least 48 hours before travel, then there is no charge and the full balance is refunded.
  • If the booking is cancelled between 24-48 hours before travel, a 25% cancellation fee is applied and the remaining balance is refunded.
  • If the booking is cancelled within 24 hours of travel, no refund is due.
  • Should your vehicle fall outside of the dimensions you have booked you will be required to pay the difference in fare and will not be guaranteed your space on the sailing

Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods shipments should be declared at least 24 hours in advance. It’s a legal requirement for the hauler/shipper to advise Red Funnel Ferries of all Hazardous Goods/Marine pollutants being carried to and from the Isle of Wight.

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