Isle of Wight-based ferry operator Red Funnel has placed a £10 million (US$14.1 million) order for a new double-ended freight ferry.
The 74-metre ship will have 265 lanemetres of roll-on, roll-off freight capacity and will carry up to 12 passengers.
The ship is designed to provide additional year-round freight capacity for the company's Southampton to East Cowes route, which handles 53 per cent of all freight movements across the Solent.
Red Funnel Chairman Kevin George said the ship will be constructed at Cammell Laird's yard in Birkenhead.
It is scheduled for delivery in spring 2019.