Woods’ Silver Fleet has announced the construction of the UK’s first zero emissions tourist vessel, now underway at Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, marking a new chapter in sustainable river tourism. With over a century of experience operating on the River Thames, the Woods family, known for private charter events, is expanding its offerings with this innovative all-electric luxury sightseeing fleet. Named Thames Explorer, the 39-metre vessel will launch in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, exclusively serving as the official Tower of London River Tour from summer 2025.
The new vessel, constructed using lightweight aluminium and powered by a pioneering all-battery drive system, is set to redefine the eco-friendly standards in river tourism. Designed in consultation with Vulkan Marine, Thames Explorer will run on an EST Floattech Octopus Series battery, which charges rapidly via a two-megawatt, sustainably sourced shore charging facility after each tour. Chris Kangis, CEO of Woods Tours, emphasized the project’s role as a bridge between the fleet’s legacy and the future of sustainable tourism, remarking that the new venture showcases “generations of river experience” coupled with a commitment to “leading the industry’s push towards sustainability.”
Thames Explorer, scheduled to host up to 250 passengers per tour and anticipated to serve 500,000 visitors annually, will provide a unique 40-minute tour experience, embarking and disembarking from Tower Bridge Quay. The scenic journey will pass iconic London landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Tate Modern, the London Eye, Traitor’s Gate, and Tower Bridge itself.
The onboard narrative experience, crafted by British actor Martha Howe-Douglas, known for her work on Ghosts and Horrible Histories, will offer a mix of factual insights and British humour, creating an engaging and educational atmosphere. Developed with top historians, the tour’s narration aims to enhance visitors’ appreciation of the city’s heritage, from ancient tales of the Tower of London to contemporary sights along the Thames.
Pendennis Shipyard’s aluminium construction allows for in-house fabrication, enabling skilled craftspeople to mentor apprentices, transferring traditional maritime skills and modern technologies to the next generation. Toby Allies, Managing Director at Pendennis, noted that this sustainable vessel aligns with the shipyard’s efforts to advance fully battery-powered operations, contributing to a growing market for zero-emissions maritime solutions.
Supporting the UK’s clean maritime objectives, the Thames Explorer project forms part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport and Innovate UK. CMDC4 is a core element of the £206 million UK SHORE programme, which seeks to decarbonise domestic maritime services and strengthen eco-friendly technologies in the industry.
The vessel itself will feature design elements inspired by the golden era of Thames river cruising in the 1920s and 30s, incorporating wide decks shaded by awnings, panoramic views, Kidderminster wool carpet, and eco-leather seating. Modern touches include accessibility features, solar-reducing glass, LED lighting, and an advanced sound system, all hand-built by Pendennis’ seasoned team in Falmouth.
Tickets for the new all-electric Tower of London River Tour will be available in winter 2024, with the vessel set to debut in London in summer 2025. Andrew Jackson, CBE, Governor of the Tower of London, praised the partnership, stating, “We look forward to sharing the remarkable story of this place with visitors from a unique vantage on the Thames.”
