Global private markets investment firm Northleaf Capital Partners (“Northleaf”) has acquired a majority interest in Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, London’s leading river boat service, from AEG, the world’s leading sport and live entertainment company.

Northleaf’s acquisition brings new investment to support Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ ambitious plans to deliver sustainable growth, enhanced infrastructure and greater economic development on and around the River Thames.

The news follows the recent announcement that Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is building the UK’s first hybrid high speed passenger ferries, set to launch in autumn 2022. Leading the way in passenger boat design, the new vessels make strides in improving the sustainability features of the business, as well as propelling innovation in the wider marine sector.

The hybrid design will allow the new vessels to operate solely on battery power while transporting commuters and sightseers along its route on the River Thames. The vessels will recharge outside of central London using biofuelled power.

Sean Collins, Co-Founder and CEO Uber Boat by Thames Clippers added, “For over 20 years Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has been at the forefront of innovation in river transport; our new partnership with Northleaf ensures this continues for the long-term. I am looking forward to working with Northleaf to achieve our vision for the future.”

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Peel Ports Group and UECC marked a historic moment as the first multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC in the history of the port docked at London Medway on Monday 28 February.

The arrival of the M/V Auto Advance Hybrid ship marked its first time in the UK, having arrived from Vigo, Spain with arrangements to discharge vehicles destined for customers throughout Britain.   
Capable of shipping as many as 3,600 cars over ten decks, the ship measures 169 meters in length, 28 meters in width. 

Emitting virtually no sulphur oxides (SOx), 85% less NOx, and 40% less carbon dioxide (Co2) compared to existing conventional heavy oil-fuelled vessels, the M/V Auto Advance is significantly better for the environment and is a step forward in the way in which vehicles are transported by sea.

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Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is building the UK’s first hybrid high speed passenger ferries, set to launch in autumn 2022 and spring 2023. Leading the way in passenger boat design, the two new vessels, being built at Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight, take strides in improving the sustainability credentials of the business as well as propelling the wider marine sector.

The hybrid design will allow the new vessels to operate solely on battery power while transporting commuters and sightseers through the Capital – throughout the Central Zone, between Tower and Battersea Power Station piers – and recharge while using biofuelled power outside of central London. The technology is not reliant on shore-based charging; the new boats will use excess power from the biofuelled engines to re-charge their batteries for the central London stretch.

This announcement comes on the heels of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ hire of a new health, safety, environment & quality (HSQE) manager in Gilmark D Mello, and work is underway on three green marine feasibility projects funded by the DfT (Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom); the outcomes of which are due in spring 2022 and should further help inform the business on their route to net zero. It’s also supported by findings from the EU Horizon 2020 TrAM project to develop fully electric, zero emission, high speed passenger ferries, a project in which Uber Boat by Thames is involved and has influenced the specification of the new vessels for London.

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