In February 2018, Red Funnel announced plans to introduce a new freight only ferry into the fleet, to coincide with the refurbishment of their facilities on both sides of the Solent. It will be built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, and is designed to have similar dimensions to Red Funnel's Raptor class fleet, allowing it to load and unload with the same linkspan used by the other ferries. It is expected to be in service from 2019. Construction of the new ferry began on 31 May 2018 with a formal Keel laying ceremony. During this event, the ship's name was announced to be "Red Kestrel", placing its name in line with those of the rest of Red Funnel's RO-RO ferry fleet. She entered service in May 2019.