Uber Boats Thames Clippers funding supports greener river travel
Uber Boats Thames Clippers funding has been confirmed as part of a major new investment package aimed at expanding and modernising river transport across London. The £59 million deal, jointly backed by NatWest and Santander, will support new vessel construction, cleaner energy upgrades, and significant improvements to piers and drydocking facilities.
Thames Clippers has been a fixture on the River Thames since its modest beginnings in 1999 with just one boat. Today, the operator runs 20 high-speed vessels, with two more currently under construction and a fully electric cross-river ferry already in service. The company offers departures from key London piers every 10 to 20 minutes, connecting commuters and visitors alike with destinations from Barking Riverside to Battersea Power Station.
The new funding will allow the business to invest further in clean energy vessels, ferries powered by electricity, as well as overhaul pier infrastructure and upgrade maintenance facilities. These enhancements aim to support rising demand and reduce the environmental footprint of river transport. The investment also supports the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Plan, which outlines national goals for reducing emissions across the shipping and water transport sectors.
Passenger numbers have been steadily rising since the pandemic. By 2022, they had surpassed pre-Covid levels by 7%, and in 2023, they climbed another 10%. More than four million journeys were made using Thames Clippers last year, and the company anticipates further growth as Londoners embrace the river as part of their everyday commute.
Liam Hather, Chief Financial Officer at Uber Boats by Thames Clippers, said the funding would help the company meet growing expectations:
“We’re committed to providing a reliable, sustainable service for everyone who travels on the Thames. This agreement with NatWest and Santander means we can deliver the improvements needed to support that mission.”
Lawrence House, Relationship Director at NatWest, added: “Uber Boats by Thames Clippers is a British success story in marine transport. They deliver a vital service for the capital, while also investing in cleaner technologies and supporting British shipbuilding through partnerships with Wight Shipyard on the Isle of Wight.”
The deal arrives at a time when pressure is mounting to diversify and green London’s transport network. With congestion and air pollution still persistent concerns, river services offer a lower-emission alternative that also makes better use of the city’s underused waterways.
As part of this new phase of growth, the operator plans to further integrate its services into the wider public transport offering. Cleaner vessels, modernised piers, and expanded operations could reshape how people think about moving across the capital, and make river travel a smarter, more sustainable option for the years ahead.
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