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Uber Boat launches first fully electric passenger ferry on the Thames
- Author
Mariusz Dasiewicz
Mariusz Dasiewicz
In the Thames a new stage in river transport began thanks to the introduction of the Orbit Clipper – the first fully electric passenger ferry in the UK. The unit, owned by the operator Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, began passenger transport on 5 December, running between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe as part of the London river bus system.
In the article
New ferry Orbit Clipper
Start Orbit Clipper The launch of Orbit Clipper on the eastern section of the Thames follows fleet modernisation plans announced by the operator several years ago. Since 5 December, the vessel has been operating alongside the existing diesel-powered Twinstar ferry, ensuring uninterrupted service on the route. Twinstar, ensuring the continuity of connection operation.
The Orbit Clipper crossing will enter full service gradually, with completion expected by spring 2026. The ferry is designed to carry up to 150 passengers and 100 bicycles. Its double-ended design, combined with automatic mooring systems and simultaneous boarding and disembarkation on both sides, enables efficient quay operations, reduces turnaround times and improves traffic flow on this busy crossing. Orbit Clipper is planned gradually, with the target date for spring 2026. Ferry suitable for transport 150 passengers and to 100 bicycles. The two-way construction (double-ended) and automatic mooring and simultaneous boarding/swinging systems on both sides allow for fast and efficient waterfront operation, shortening stop time and improving the fluidity of traffic on this popular crossing.
Canary Wharf – Rotherhithe route
Orbit Clipper Orbit Clipper was built at the British shipyard Wight Shipyard Co. The project was co-financed with public funds through the Department for Transport and the Innovate UK programme. The vessel is approximately 25 metres long and has a maximum speed of 12 knots. It forms part of a broader fleet modernisation strategy aimed at progressively reducing emissions from vessels operating on the Thames.
Construction in the UK and government support
Ferry Orbit Clipper built in British Orbit Clipper was built at the British shipyard Wight Shipyard Co. The project was co-financed with public funds through the UK Department for Transport and the Innovate UK programme. The vessel is approximately 25 metres long and has a maximum speed of 12 knots.. The project was co-financed through the Department for Transport and the Innovate UK programme. The unit is about 25 metres long and reaches a maximum speed of 12 knots.
The new unit forms part of a broader fleet modernisation strategy implemented by the operator, aimed at gradually reducing emissions generated by ferries operating on the Thames.
Fleet modernisation and long-term climate goals
According to the operator's declarations, these activities are to lead to significant reductions in emissions. Long-term reduction is expected According to the operator’s declarations, the fleet modernisation programme is expected to deliver significant emission reductions. Long-term targets include a 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2035 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In parallel, the operator is exploring the use of alternative fuels, including hydrogen and methanol, across other vessels in its fleet. o 50 percent by 2035 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In parallel, alternative fuels, including hydrogen and methanol, in other fleet units, are being explored.
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The Future voyagecruises after 2026: fleet, ports, regulations
World market voyageThis cruise enters the next stage of development. Increasing units are the basis for the offers of the largest shipowners, at the same time increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapting the fleet to increasingly restrictive regulations.
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According to Crisis Industr News, after 2026 the market voyageThis cruise will have to market voyagethese cruises, reconcile the ambitions of further expansion of fleets with administrative requirements and expectations of passengers for whom the quality of the product is increasingly important, not only its scale.
Increasing units market voyagethe tour
In the coming decade cruise ships will continue to increase their sizes. Units with a capacity exceeding 200 thousand GT will become the standard in the offer of the largest shipowners. New record cruise ships include Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line.
Parallelly developed will be tested series of large units, such as the Icon class in the Royal Caribbean offer and the World class owned by MSC Cruises. The larger scale allows shipowners to expand their on-board offer and increase revenues generated outside the ticket sales alone.
Larger units and environmental requirements
The growing size of ships does not mean giving up action to reduce their environmental impact. New units are designed to meet future emission standards. From 2026, approximately 65% of ships entering service will be powered by alternative fuels, primarily LNG.
In the long term, shipowners are preparing to implement structures adapted to the supply of methanol, to a limited extent also with hydrogen. This is accompanied by measures to reduce the use of disposable plastic products, more rational water management and the development of infrastructure to enable the supply of land-based vessels at port stops.
More and more ports in Europe and in other regions of the world are investing in solutions to shut down ship gyms at a waterfront stop.
New fleet deployment directions
The approach to route planning is also changing. One clear trend is to develop voyageoutside the peak of the season in the Mediterranean. After the largest artmators, such as Costa Cruises, MSC and Celebrity Cruises, also the luxury segment shipowners expand their winter presence in the region.
This includes cruise ships Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Azamara and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Viking has maintained an extensive winter offer in both southern and northern Europe for years.
In the United States, the return of traditional base ports, such as Philadelphia, is observed while expanding operations in San Diego, Jacksonville, Norfolk and Mobile ports.
Private and exclusive destinations
Private destinations, over which operators have full control, play an increasingly important role in shipowner strategies. The Royal Caribbean Group plans to eventually exploit more than eight exclusive stops in Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific and South America.
Also Carnival Corporation intensively develops its own land base. The projects carried out include Celebration Key, the reconstruction of Mahogany Bay in Isla Tropicale and the further development of the RelaxAway complex at Half Moon Cay.
Longer stops in ports
Another trend is to extend the stop time in ports. During the winter season 2027–2028 Norwegian Cruise Line plans cruises in which the average time of stay in port will be 9.5 hours, with a large number of late exits and night stops.
A similar approach presents the Immersive Overnight programs offered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, assuming even a few days' stay in one port. Princess, Azamara, Oceania, Atlas Ocean Voyager and Windstar also develop a similar strategy.
Taxes, charges and passenger limits
Local regulations are increasingly affecting the shape of future routes. In many popular destinations new taxes, port charges and passenger limits are introduced to reduce tourist pressure.
Although some of the solutions already exist, most of the new regulations will come into force from 2026. This includes Greece, Norway, Hawaii, Iceland and France.
Older individuals are leaving the market
With the increasing importance of product quality older and smaller ships are gradually phased out. Over the last five years, Carnival Corporation has disposed of more than 20 units, including Costa Fortuna and Seabourn Sojournsold in 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced the first ship withdrawals in over 15 years, while National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions plans to end operation of the units National Geographic. Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird in 2026.
End of fleet "in suspension"
The so-called fleet "in suspension", covering ships remaining outside the operation after the COVID-19 pandemic, practically disappears from the market. In 2025, most of such units found new operators or returned to regular service.
An example is the former Costa Magica sold to Chinese shipowner Tianjin Orient International Cruises, as well as the return to operation of vessels such as Ocean Victory and Ocean Adventurer.
