Wight Shipyard delivers UK's first hybrid passenger ferry

By Nicky Godding

12 July 2023

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Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has taken delivery of the UK’s first hybrid passenger ferry.

The Earth Clipper is a parrel hybrid with more than 500kwh of battery capacity, meaning it can run at 15 knots on electric mode before going to over 30 knots on diesel. While operating on the central London section of its route it will be running zero tailpipe emission, helping to reduce air pollution within the clean air zone.

The team at Cowes-based Wight Shipyard, Britain’s leading aluminium shipbuilder, built the Earth Clipper which continues to build on the strong partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

The Wight Shipyard Co. has also secured the new build of two passenger catamarans for operation on the ever-growing Thames commuting and sightseeing line for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The new contract is a significant coup for both the business and the Isle of Wight.

Peter Morton, CEO of The Wight Shipyard Co. commented: “We are delighted that Uber by Thames Clippers has awarded us the contract to build the next generation of Clipper-class vessels utilising the very latest battery-power technology and re-charging options. The Wight Shipyard Co. has built a reputation for meeting and exceeding the demands of a global client base, especially in terms of sustainability where our concentration on weight reduction, build quality, hydro-dynamics and efficiency yields real, tangible results and savings. With the fusion of modern drive technology, we have a highly compelling proposition today.”

The hybrid design will allow the new Uber Boat by Thames Clippers vessels to operate solely on battery power to transport both commuters and sightseers along the Thames throughout the Capital’s central zone between the Tower Bridge and Battersea Power Station piers and recharge while using bio-fuel power outside of Central London. The technology is not reliant on shore-based charging with the new boats using excess power from the bio-fuel engines to re-charge their batteries for the Central Londonstretch.

The vessels built by The Wight Shipyard Co. will be some of the quietest ever seen in the passenger boat industry and be examples of environmental excellence. Sean Collins, Founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers recently commented: “For over 20 years we have been at the forefront of innovation for the river marine sector. We are committed to supporting the sustainable growth, infrastructure and economic development on and around the river to endorse the river’s importance to London as a form of transport. As a business, we are continuing to embrace the emerging technological advances that will see us continue to develop our fleet and infrastructure, thereby supporting a sustainable future in our industry.”

The Wight Shipyard Co. has built Thames Clipper vessels since 2017 when the shipyard received its first commission. Since then, three of the innovative, high-spec and highly durable Thames Clippers have been built and are a much-loved part of London’s waterway as well as being a vital and eventually net zero carbon commuting option.

Sean Collins added: “Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is committed to achieving net zero with all new builds by 2025 and for its wider fleet, infrastructure and environmental footprint by 2040. We’re looking ahead with this hybrid design, ensuring easy conversion to green hydrogen or another renewable energy source – something we’re also focusing heavily on with the new projects we’re undertaking thanks to recent DfT funding. It is the next step in our strategy to net zero and, ultimately, tailpipe zero.”

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.