Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has launched its third hybrid passenger ferry on the River Thames in London.
This vessel, named Mars, joins Earth and Celestial to offer more sustainable river transport in the UK capital.
London’s first hybrid passenger ferry, Earth Clipper, was launched in September 2023 and was joined by Celestial Clipper in March 2024.
Built at the Isle of Wight’s Wight Shipyard, the three vessels’ reduce CO2e emissions by almost 90 percent compared to using conventional marine diesel.
The ferries operate solely on electric power in Central London (between Tower and Battersea Power Station). They then recharge while using biofuelled power for the remainder of the journey.
Sean Collins, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers co-founder and CEO said:We want to make London’s river travel the best and most sustainable transport option in the world. We are immensely proud of being able to launch our third hybrid vessel in less than 12 months. Seeing these wonderful boats sail the Thames together is a momentous day for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and this symbolises our commitment to achieve a net zero status by 2040. Going forward, all of our new vessels will use our hybrid system and where possible, fully electrified or zero-emission technology. The design of the catamaran can also be made even greener in the future, when technology allows.
Mars Clipper is the 20th high-speed catamaran to join the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers fleet. Together, the three hybrid vessels increase the River Bus’s total capacity by almost 700 passengers.
This launch also advances the company’s mission of reducing carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040.
To realise this goal, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is committed to using the latest technologies and is also developing London’s first fully electric ferry.
Collins added:We are currently working to introduce London’s first fully electric Zero Emission Cross River Ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe by the spring of 2025 – the first of its kind in the UK.
It’s a real British success story - our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest technology to create a comfortable and environmentally friendly way to get around our fantastic capital city.
