A new all-electric cross-river passenger ferry, Orbit Clipper, is being built at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, according to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
The ship, which is set to debut in March 2025, will carry people across the Thames seven days a week, enabling over 20,000 Londoners and visitors to travel every weekday.
Orbit Clipper will operate between London’s Canary Wharf on the north side of the Thames and Rotherhithe on the south, offering a cross-river transport service.
The vessel will cross the river every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends.
The 150-passenger ferry, with capacity for 100 bicycles, features a roll-on/roll-off design that enables automated docking on both sides.
Orbit Clipper will replace the current cross-river ferry service, continuing to serve the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Rotherhithe and meeting the demands of Canary Wharf’s growing employment centre and burgeoning residential neighbourhoods on both sides of the river.
A new step free pontoon is being built on the south side as part of the project, the company said, and the existing pier at Canary Wharf will be modified to accommodate the new fully electric ferry berth.
“This was our first build accessing the Innovate UK grant funding in partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, Beckett Rankine and Aqua superPower,” said Toby Mumford, CEO, Wight Shipyard.
“This new vessel will launch within our 25th year of operation and it reaffirms our investment in both the local Isle of Wight economy and in London,” added Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
