Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ brand-new hybrid passenger ferry, Mars Clipper, has entered operation in central London. The UK capital’s first hybrid passenger ferry, Earth Clipper, was launched in September 2023 and was then joined by Celestial Clipper in March 2024.
Built on the Isle of Wight, the three vessels deliver an almost 90% reduction in CO2e compared to journeys taken solely using conventional marine diesel. Operating only on electric power in central London – between Tower and Battersea Power Station piers – the hybrid boats recharge while using biofueled power on the rest of their journey. This hybrid system results in an emissions reduction of 16.5% per boat compared with running on biofuel alone throughout all parts of the route.
Mars Clipper is the 20th high-speed catamaran to join the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers fleet, and the three hybrid vessels increase the River Bus total capacity by just under 700 passengers.
“We want to make London’s river travel the best and most sustainable transport option in the world,” said Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. “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 symbolizes 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.
“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.”
All the hybrid vessels were built at Wight Shipyard in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ investment has continued to be significant for the local economy on the Isle of Wight, with 65 people building the boats over the past year and 14 apprentices involved.