Thames Clippers becomes English passenger fleet giant

The Jupiter Clipper follows the June launch of its twin sister, Mercury Clipper, which was built at Wight Shipyard Co. on the Isle of Wight and transported to Trinity Buoy Wharf in east London to begin work.

Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of MBNA Thames Clippers, said: “Having increased our capacity along the River Thames by 30% in the last two years through the continued introduction of new boats we’re proud to be playing a key role in opening up this London lifeline to even more commuters and visitors.”

Thames Clippers’ commission for the £6.3m passenger catamarans set a record for the largest fast ferry order for a UK shipyard in over two decades with non-government backed funding.

The build for Jupiter Clipper, which can carry up to 172 people, and Mercury Clipper took 10 months, creating over 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London.

By this autumn three piers will have been added to Thames Clippers’ network since 2015; Plantation Wharf Pier, Westminster Pier and Battersea Power Station Pier.

All-day and weekend services to Battersea Power Station Pier are due to launch in September.

By Rebecca Jeffrey