Houlder supports development of UK’s first hybrid fast ferry on Thames

14th April 2025

In 2024, Houlder completed work on the third of a series of hybrid high-speed passenger ferries constructed by Wight Shipyard for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers – Earth Clipper, Celestial Clipper, and Mars Clipper.

As the third hybrid fast ferry on the River Thames, Mars Clipper and her sisters will operate solely on battery power while transporting commuters and sightseers throughout the Central Zone, between Tower Pier and Battersea Power Station piers. This means the ferry will produce zero-emissions in the Central Zone – including no harmful local emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), black carbon and particulate matter (PM). The vessels will recharge while using bio-fuelled power outside of central London.

Houlder has supported Thames Clipper from the outset of the project and since it won the contract in 2021. Houlder worked on the concept specification and general arrangement for the ferry with Thames Clippers, has regularly been on-site overseeing progress, supporting the vessel owner’s relationship with the shipyard, and reviewing yard designs in-depth, as well as ensuring battery safety and verifying battery performance.

Safety and sustainability must go hand-in-hand as the energy transition progresses, and so safety was a vital element of this project. There are no prescriptive requirements for battery safety in high-speed craft, and there are not many accepted solutions for a high-speed craft. However, the combined team of Thames Clippers, Houlder and Wight Shipyard found a solution to meet the rigorous safety requirements with low operational risk and straightforward maintenance.

Verifying the batteries would perform throughout the Central Zone in practice was another key element of the project. Houlder promptly found a creative and practical way of demonstrating the battery performance before the vessel arrived on the Thames. The team created a representative physical trial which accounted for all of the energy needs of the vessel and calculated the net battery performance data, giving confidence in the vessel’s performance before leaving the shipyard.

David Wing, Ship Design & Engineering Director at Houlder, said: “We’re proud to be collaborating again with Thames Clippers, who we have had a long-standing and productive relationship with over the years. Thames Clippers is a forward-thinking and innovative company, proactively driving the development of a ferry that produces zero-emissions in London’s Central Zone. It is also highly rewarding to know that our hard work has improved local emissions for people in central London. We look forward to sharing further updates on our ongoing partnership with Thames Clippers, with our next project focussing on their cross-river and light freight vessels.”

Sean Collins, Co-Founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said: “Houlder has strong experience in other hybrid vessel designs which it brought to the Earth Clipper project and which we have appreciated throughout. Having access to specialist design and engineering expertise, as well as advanced simulation capabilities is vital for optimising these projects. With partners like Houlder onboard, we’re able to drive forward the development of cleaner and greener ferries in London, which is something we can all be proud of.”

Batteries are a valuable option for decarbonising the maritime industry if they are applied correctly and align well with the ship’s operational needs. A battery-propelled vessel must not be viewed as a like-for-like replacement for diesel propulsion; they require different designs and ways of operating. The best approach is to start by analysing the ship, its requirements and its unique operating profile. The best propulsion methods and technologies can then be determined, and you can always seek independent, objective advice from experts, too.