Uber Boat by Thames Clippers - Experts & Thought Leaders

EST-Floattech, a provider of high-performance energy storage solutions, announces its collaboration with Wight Shipyard Co. They will install the Octopus Series battery systems on two vessels, the 'Mars Clipper' and Cross River Ferry, for Thames Clippers.  Octopus Series Wight Shipyard, the UK’s aluminium shipbuilder, has selected EST-Floattech's Octopus Series for its exceptional energy efficiency and reliability. The decision underscores Wight Shipyards' commitment to sustainable technology for the maritime sector. Wight Shipyard specialises in high-speed ferries, retrofits, and planned maintenance of vessels and is located on the Isle of Wight. The ferries will become part of the fleet for Thames Clippers. 'Mars Clipper'  The vessel has a hybrid design, which allows the 'Mars Clipper' to operate solely on batteries The 'Mars Clipper' is a high-speed passenger catamaran ferry. This ferry, part of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, will have 480 kWh of high-energy batteries on board. The vessel has a hybrid design, which allows the 'Mars Clipper' to operate solely on batteries on the Thames, in the most central zone of the city. This is between the Tower Bridge and the Battersea Power Station piers. The technology is not reliant on shore-based charging, with the new boats using excess power from the bio-fuel engines to recharge their batteries for the Central London stretch.  Cross River Ferry ​ The Cross River Ferry will be supplied with 960 kWh of the Octopus Series battery system. Thames Clippers have been operating a cross-river ferry service for over 20 years. The current infrastructure is reaching the end of life and creates an opportunity to develop and operate an enhanced all-electric, zero-emission, roll-on/roll-off ferry replacement. This will allow automated docking to reduce journey times and increase capacity on the craft for foot and cycle passengers. Thanks to the Octopus Series battery system, the vessel will sail quietly over the Thames and will be some of the quietest vessels ever seen in the passenger boat industry. Zero-emission sailing Both energy storage solutions from EST-Floattech will not only limit emissions, but also limit exhaust fumes during the routes of these commuter services in London. Jelle Meindertsma, Sales Manager at EST-Floattech, stated about these projects, "This collaboration with Wight Shipyard is another milestone towards zero-emission sailing for the maritime industry." Energy storage solution Jelle Meindertsma adds, "The application of our battery system onboard the Cross River Ferry and 'Mars Clipper' also shows the potential of the Octopus Series energy storage solution in low-weight vessels and contributes to no fumes in densely populated areas." He continues, "We would like to thank all parties involved: of course Wight Shipyard for their trust in EST-Floattech, but also like to mention the electrical consultancy company SEC-Marine for their involvement and pleasant cooperation. The result of these joint efforts is a ship we can all be proud of. We are confident that the ship will be a valuable addition and will have many successful voyages."

Global maritime leaders sailed full steam ahead into London in their thousands to attend the biennial London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), which took place from 11th September to 15th September, 2023. More than 70 countries were represented by the 30,000 delegates, while a large number of overseas trade delegations met with UK Government officials as London and the UK underlined their importance in the global supply chain. London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) At the start of LISW23 (Monday, 11th September), the Government outlined how coastal communities across the country are set to benefit from over £80 million of funding, also announcing the winners of the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure fund (ZEVI). On 14th September, the UK Transport Secretary unveiled a new package of clean maritime measures And on Thursday, 14th September, the UK Transport Secretary unveiled a new package of clean maritime measures, which aim to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the UK’s transport sector, while boosting economic growth. Maritime UK's second Annual Report Maritime UK utilised LISW23 to publish the second Annual Report into its Government-backed ‘Regional Cluster Development Programme’ at the Global Maritime Hub, while speaking at the LISW23 Regional Showcase event, Maritime Minister - Baroness Vere announced a £1 million fund to support the work of dynamic and focused regional cluster organisations charged with the delivery of Maritime 2050 in their localities. Transport Secretary - Mark Harper, said: “London International Shipping Week is the perfect time to showcase the work we’re doing to generate maritime jobs across the country and develop new, clean technologies.” London’s expertise in shipping services highlighted London’s expertise in shipping services was highlighted through the more than 350 events, which took place during the packed LISW23 week in a myriad of impressive and iconic venues including: No 10 Downing Street; the UK Houses of Parliament; International Maritime Organization’s headquarters; The Shard; The Gherkin; the London Stock Exchange; several Livery Halls; the Churchill War Rooms; Lloyd’s of London; the offices of many of the world’s top law firms; the In and Out Club in Piccadilly; the Little Ship Club; Trinity House; Tower Bridge Walkway; Inmarsat’s UKHQ; and the QEII Conference Centre. VIP receptions were hosted at Lancaster House, Mansion House, the Cyprus High Commission, and the residences of the Ambassadors of France and Belgium. Strong nautical flavour apparent at LISW23 The strong nautical flavour was apparent in the number of unique ships that also hosted events The strong nautical flavour was apparent in the number of unique ships that also hosted events, including THV Galatea, HMS Belfast, Erasmus, Type 23 frigate - HMS Iron Duke, the Golden Hinde, the historic Havengore, which bore Churchill’s coffin, and Artemis Technologies’ innovative electric workboat - Pioneer of Belfast. High level UK support was apparent – from the Government-hosted VIP reception, attended by HRH The Princess Royal in her role as patron of Maritime UK, to the 16 Ministerial speeches delivered over the week. In all, the Department for Transport was involved in more than 80 events, with the Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign Office, and the Scottish Office also taking part. The UK Chamber of Shipping advised during LISW23 that the value of shipping to the UK economy is 650,000 jobs, with every job in shipping supporting 10 more in the wider economy, and £1.1 trillion worth of trade. Crucial issues discussed at LISW23 include decarbonisation Among the crucial issues discussed during LISW23 were decarbonisation and the protection of marine environments, innovation and technology, seafarer safety and well-being, equality and diversity, cyber security and AI, and numerous legal, insurance and trade matters in relation to global shipping and the supply chain. In excess of 700 delegates registered for the LISW23 Headline Conference at the IMO, during which retiring IMO Secretary-General - Kitack Lim was presented with a nautical barometer and wished ‘fair winds and following seas’. Also present at this event were more than 40 media representing national, international and trade press. Media coverage figures show a worldwide audience  Media coverage figures indicate a potential worldwide audience of more than a billion people Media coverage figures indicate a potential worldwide audience of more than a billion people, while the LISW23 official website handled more than 30 million hits. Social media during the week was flooded with the hashtag #LISW23, as the maritime community shared its news and views. LISW23 concluded with a glittering Gala Dinner attended by 1500 people at Evolution London, in Battersea Park. Hosting for the first time, this impressive location, together with the first-ever LISW After Party, proved popular with delegates, who were also able to return to London via a fleet of specially chartered Thames Clipper Uber Boats, kindly sponsored by ShipMoney. The Gala Dinner also raised much-needed funds for the four official LISW23 maritime charities. LISW23 event surpasses all expectations Reviewing a phenomenally successful week, Sean Moloney, the Co-Founder of London International Shipping Week, said: “The strength of London International Shipping Week is bringing together industry leaders from across the globe to examine in detail the most crucial issues facing international shipping and world trade. This 2023 LISW, in our tenth anniversary year, surpassed all expectations.” LISW Co-Founder, Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, said: “What a week this was, and definitely the most international of the six LISWs that we’ve held so far. It was excellent to see so many industry decision makers networking at the myriad of events and amazing venues throughout the week.”

BAE Systems, in collaboration with other maritime industry pinoeers, has secured funding from the UK Department of Transport to design, develop and demonstrate exciting new power and propulsion technologies for London, with the potential to reduce emissions across global waterways. Working across two separate projects in the city with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, a ferry operator and Cory, a waste to energy management company, BAE Systems will use its expertise in providing integrated solutions in electric propulsion and power management, alongside its experience in vessel autonomy. This approach will deliver connected solutions to reduce the power demands of vessels, in conjunction with their design, to increase efficiency. The projects will also look at how onboard and shore based high power, rapid charging points can be developed to provide charging stations for vessels to keep on the move. Nationwide net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 These two projects are part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK. Each project will start as a feasibility study that will show the technological and commercial viability of connected system designs. “The UK government has set robust targets for nationwide net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and we all have a part to play to achieve that ambition, but we can’t do this on our own,” said Paul Simavari, Business Development Manager for BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector. “The Clean Maritime Demonstrators are an exciting new approach to the Zero Emissions challenge and by bringing together companies with expertise across the industry, we will be able to create a cleaner, more sustainable and more environmentally friendly marine sector.” Making a positive difference in transporting people The project will investigate how low- and zero-emission propulsion and power management technology can make a positive difference Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates 21 vessels along the River Thames, providing links across the city for commuters and tourists. This project will investigate how low- and zero-emission propulsion and power management technology, which includes intelligent controls, can make a positive difference in transporting people and goods around a busy capital city. Geoff Symonds, the Chief Operating Officer for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said “As the operator of a modern and fuel-efficient high speed passenger boat service on the River Thames, we are and have been for over 20 years, at the forefront of innovation for the river marine sector. We are committed to supporting the sustainable growth of infrastructure on and around the river to ensure its long-term importance to Greater London." He adds, "We pride ourselves on driving the technology forward to ensure we are continually working to improve both the efficiency and environmental impact of our business. As such, we are proud to be working alongside BAE Systems to achieve a greener marine future.” Bringing cleaner energy to the waste management industry The second, separate study with Cory, the only UK recycling and waste management company to transport waste by river, will look at how low and zero-emission propulsion and power management technology, combined with autonomous capabilities can bring cleaner energy to the waste management industry. Cory turns waste into construction materials and a clean source of energy that feeds back into London’s main power grid Cory already turns waste into construction materials and a clean source of energy that feeds back into London’s main power grid and that could potentially supply Thames River users. Cory’s Director of Logistics, Fran Comerford-Cole, said “Cory’s collaboration with BAE Systems is an important, coordinated effort to reduce shipping emissions and explore the potential of autonomous propulsion. As a business, we are proud of our stewardship of the Thames and the river’s role in reducing the environmental impact of our operations. We want to take this a step further by helping to drive innovation in lower and zero carbon marine vessels. In turn, this will help the UK on its road – or voyage – to net zero.” Expanding BAE Systems’ existing clean energy footprint The Clean Maritime Energy Competition will expand BAE Systems’ existing clean energy footprint in London, with engine drive technology already featuring on nearly 1,000 of the city’s iconic red buses. These two feasibility studies will start this month and will be completed by March 2022. The aim is then to produce vessel demonstrators for each project to prove the findings of the study before being adopted by the wider fleet.