Ferry services have been connecting the UK’s coastal and riverside communities for millennia.
Coal-fired steam, diesel, biofuels, wind and good old fashioned manpower have all been used over the years to shuttle passengers between mainland and island or from one riverbank to the other.
Electric power has also been experimented with in one form or another, but not until now has a fully electric, zero-emissions ferry operated on any UK route.
The recent maiden voyage of Orbit Clipper across the River Thames in London thus heralded the start of a new era of sustainable transport.
Operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, the innovative craft will cross between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.
It will be able to shuttle up to 150 passengers and 100 bicycles on each journey and is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026.
“Orbit Clipper not only showcases cutting-edge innovation but also sets a new standard for eco-friendly travel on the Thames, helping to shape a cleaner, greener future for Londoners and visitors alike,” said Sean Collins, CEO of Uber Boat Thames Clippers.
“This is a fantastic new transport option for Londoners – not only cleaner and greener than its predecessor, but providing quicker and more accessible journeys across the river for far more people,” added London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
“Innovation and investment in travel infrastructure like this will help us navigate the challenges facing our environment and our economy as we continue building a fairer, greener, better London for everyone.”
While Orbit Clipper is a first for London and the UK, all-electric ferries have been running routes in other parts of the world since 2015, when MF Ampere first sailed across the Sognefjord in Western Norway.
Annual CO2 emissions have been reduced by 2,700 since its introduction on the route across Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, and it has now covered a total distance greater than 17 times around the equator on battery power alone.
