Newbuilds will make the line the biggest commercial passenger fleet operating in English waters
By
Rebecca Gibson |
MBNA Thames Clippers has revealed that the two new passenger ferries that will be launching on the Thames in London this summer will be named Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper.
The vessel names were chosen by 11-year-old Lennon from Scotland, who won a naming competition that was held by Fun Kids radio station and entered by more than 1,100 children. Lennon and his family will join the MBNA Thames Clippers team in London for the official christening ceremonies this summer.
Currently under construction at the Wight Shipyard Co at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the two 170-passenger newbuilds will cost more £6.3million and represent the largest fast passenger ferry order at a UK shipyard in more than 25 years. It also represents the first order for Wight Shipyard, which recently rebranded from Shemara Refit. In total, the project has created 75 new jobs across the Isle of Wight and London, and the involved more than 100 businesses in the South of England.
The first to launch will be Mercury Clipper, which will be floated out at Wight Shipyard Co in early June to undergo endurance trials before making the journey to London. Jupiter Clipper will follow shortly afterwards.
“MBNA Thames Clippers goes from strength to strength with the launch of the two new vessels,” said James Poole, strategy and innovation executive at MBNA. “Through our innovative partnership, we’re helping to deliver more and more good stuff to travellers on the river.”
Together, Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper will add 14% more capacity to the line’s river bus service in central London and enable it to become the biggest commercial passenger fleet operating solely in English waters. This is expected to raise passenger numbers to more than 38.5 million by the end of 2017.
“The arrival of Mercury Clipper and Jupiter Clipper this summer to the MBNA Thames Clippers fleet is not only a major milestone for our business, but also for the London transport network,” said Sean Collins, CEO of MBNA Thames Clippers. “Our commitment to enhancing the London river transport network is moving at a considerable pace and we are excited to be leading the way in making more of the River Thames as a key part of the capital’s infrastructure.”