UK’s First Fully Electric Sightseeing Vessel To Be Powered By VULKAN UK

London is set to welcome its first fully electric sightseeing vessel, the Silver Raven, in autumn 2025. The 39-metre vessel, capable of carrying up to 250 passengers, will operate along central London’s waterways, offering a clean, sustainable alternative to traditional vessels.

The vessel is commissioned by Woods Tours, designed by One2Three Naval Architects, and constructed at Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall.

VULKAN UK, part of the global VULKAN Group and a leading supplier of advanced drive technology, provided the electrical design and power profiles that will enable the vessel to operate efficiently with zero emissions.

The vessel uses the durable and efficient EST Floattech Octopus Series battery system, which allows it to make several trips a day and recharge quickly between tours for uninterrupted service.

The Silver Raven is part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC4), an initiative funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK.

CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206 million initiative to develop and promote technology for decarbonising the UK’s domestic maritime sector.

Adrian Birkin, Managing Director of VULKAN UK, has described the vessel as a landmark project for sustainable maritime transport in the UK, saying it shows that large passenger services can run efficiently using electric power.

Reference: workboat365

Source: Maritime Shipping News